once vs sometime

The phrases 'once' and 'sometime' have different meanings and are not interchangeable. 'Once' refers to a specific point in time, while 'sometime' is more general and refers to an unspecified time in the future. Therefore, they are not comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1315 views

The word 'once' is correct and commonly used in English. It refers to a specific point in time or an event that happened only one time.

"once"

Use 'once' when you want to refer to something that occurred or will occur at a particular moment in time, without repetition.

Examples:

I met her once at a party.
I will only visit that place once in my lifetime.

Show examples from the web [+]

Because once those cards are dealt...
Brother has flunked university once already.
My people already crossed a desert once.
I've only met Pastor Robinson once before.
The old buzzard almost locked me out once.
Counsel has repeated the question once.
For once, the Professor felt weakened.
Our abilities were professionally assessed more than once.
I tried working more slowly once.
Snipers don't usually hit just once.
I went through something similar once.
And for once the witnesses agree.
The operation has only been performed once before.
Thomas Jefferson once shot a man for treason.
Friend of mine once suggested fishing.
A positive test means she tried it once.
I once felt exactly that way.
But a prisoner escaped there once.
Special enough for promises, once.
Easy-breezy once I had access to their drives.

Alternatives:

one time
a single time
on one occasion
only once
just once

The word 'sometime' is correct and commonly used in English. It refers to an unspecified time in the future, without specifying a particular moment.

"sometime"

Use 'sometime' when you want to refer to a future event without specifying an exact time or date.

Examples:

Let's meet sometime next week.
I'll call you sometime in the afternoon.

Show examples from the web [+]

You said we should go sometime.
You could look under my mattress sometime.
Everything has to leave home sometime.
You should meet my father sometime.
Even hard workers need a break sometime.
We all need to face ourselves sometime.
The rat has to surface sometime.
Maybe we should have another drink sometime.
I'd love a tour sometime.
Byam... you will think of us sometime.
I'd like to get my hands on this white jacket sometime.
We've all got to go sometime.
Well, I thought that maybe we could double-date sometime.
I must show you my new paintings sometime.
Maybe you should ask me sometime.
Try getting him to brush his teeth sometime.
Take me to dinner again with you sometime.
You should try it for real sometime.
I'd love to shoot you sometime.
We should've brought him sometime.

Alternatives:

at some point
eventually
at a later time
one day
in the future

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once vs sometime

"once"

"sometime"

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