Word: Once

Pronunciation

/wʌns/

Definitions

• Adverb: One time, on one occasion; formerly, previously. It can indicate a single event that happened in the past. For example: “I visited Paris once.”
  • Conjunction: When used to introduce a clause, it implies that something happens after another event has occurred or under certain conditions. Example: “Once you finish your homework, you can watch TV.”

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • “Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in a castle.”
  • “I’ll do the dishes once I’ve finished eating.”
• Conjunction:
  • “Once the sun sets, the stars start to twinkle in the sky.”
  • “Once he learned how to ride a bike, he never looked back.”

Phrases

• “Once in a lifetime”: An expression referring to a rare or unique event that may happen only once during one’s life. Example: “Seeing the northern lights is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
• “Once and for all”: To settle or decide something conclusively so that it doesn’t need to be repeated or reconsidered. Example: “We need to sort this issue out once and for all.”

Example Sentences

• Adverb: “Once the train left the station, it picked up speed.”
• Conjunction: “Once the storm passed, we went outside to assess the damage.”

Synonyms

• At one time
• Formerly
• On one occasion
• Upon a time
• Provided that (in a conditional context)
• As soon as (for conjunction usage)