Cool MateOnce vs This one time
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Once
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
This one time
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: OnceMost common: Once
| Once | This one time | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/wʌns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/wʌns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs wʌn taɪm//🇺🇸 //ðɪs wʌn taɪm// |
| Meaning | one time | An expression used to share a specific past experience. |
| Example | Once I finished my homework, I went out to play. | This one time, I went skydiving and it was exhilarating. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | once a week, once in a lifetime, once again, once more | this one time + story, this one time + event, this one time + example |
| Antonyms | never | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'once' for 'twice' or other frequencies., Using 'once' with present tense when referring to past events. | Using it with formal writing or speech., Confusing it with 'one time' which has a different usage., Not specifying the event clearly. |
| Usage notes | Use 'once' to refer to something happening a single time in the past. It's neutral and often used in storytelling. It wouldn't be appropriate in highly formal writing. | Used in casual conversation to introduce a story or memory. Avoid in formal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Once vs This one time
What's the difference between Once and This one time?
Once: one time This one time: An expression used to share a specific past experience.
Which is more formal: Once and This one time?
Once is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Once and This one time?
Once is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Once: Once I finished my homework, I went out to play. This one time: This one time, I went skydiving and it was exhilarating.
Can I use Once and This one time interchangeably?
Not always. Once and This one time are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.