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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 • 1157 views

once

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.

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.
  • 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

sometime

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

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.
  • 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

Related Comparisons

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