once*/*/*/

[wʌns]

grammar word summary: Once can be: ■ an adverb: I only met him once. ■ a conjunction: Once you get there, you'll love it. ■ a noun: For once I wish you'd tell me the truth. ♦ Yes, I met him, but just the once.

1) on one occasion only

Cathy's only been to visit us once.[/ex]

I'd seen the show once before.[/ex]

The class meets once a week.[/ex]

You should take two pills once every six hours.[/ex]

We met just the once, but I remember him well.[/ex]

2) used for saying that a particular situation existed in the past, but it does not exist any longer

Did you know that Dan was once a policeman?[/ex]

Louise bought the house where her grandparents had once lived.[/ex]

3) used for saying that as soon as one thing happens, something else happens

You'll be very happy here once you get to know everyone.[/ex]

•

all at once — 1) happening suddenly when you are not expecting it[/ex]

All at once thunder shook the whole house.[/ex]

— 2) at the same time

Everybody started speaking all at once.[/ex]

at once — 1) immediately[/ex]

Bake for 35 minutes and then serve at once.[/ex]

— 2) at the same time

You're trying to do too many things at once.[/ex]

(every) once in a while — sometimes, but not very often[/ex]

I still see Ken once in a while.[/ex]

(just) for once — spoken used for saying that you would like something to happen, and you think it should happen more often[/ex]

You can pay the bill for once.[/ex]

once again/more — 1) used for saying that something happens again[/ex]

The fair was once again a tremendous success.[/ex]

— 2) used for saying that a situation becomes as it was before it changed

We look forward to the day when there will be peace once more.[/ex]

once and for all — completely and finally[/ex]

The Supreme Court's ruling should decide this matter once and for all.[/ex]

once or twice — a few times, but not very often[/ex]

Martin's gone hunting once or twice, but I don't think he really liked it.[/ex]

once upon a time — used for starting children's stories[/ex]

See:

blue I