7 Facts on Once as Conjunction: When, How, Examples

Conjunctions are the words that link two clauses together to form a sentence. Let us examine how the word “Once” can be used as a conjunction.

The conjunction “Once” is used when the subordinate clause conveys a conditional event that complements the event that takes place in the main clause.

Let us examine a few examples to better comprehend the above-mentioned explanation:

Sl. No.	Examples	Explanations
1.	We will leave once the entire family is ready.	Here, the word ‘once’ is considered a conjunction as it connects two clauses together.
2.	She only asked her mother for help once she couldn’t solve the homework by herself.	The dependant clause is connected to the independent clause with the help of the conjunction ‘once’.

Let us discuss a couple more instances and explanations related to it.

When is “once” a conjunction?

Let us examine the instances in which the word “once” serves as a conjunction.

“Once” is said to be a conjunction when it links two clauses together.

Here are a few instances of it in examples form-

Sl. No.	Examples	Explanations
3.	The group will only be able to perform once they at least reach the party.	The first clause makes sense when the second clause adds more information to it with the use of the conjunction ‘once’.
4.	The dog only eats food once his master returned home from office.	The second clause has been linked to the first clause with the help of the word ‘once’, hence, making it a conjunction.

How is “once” a conjunction?

Let us talk about how “once” might come to be a conjunction.

“Once” may come to be a conjunction by virtue of the fact that it is placed between two different clauses so as to connect them.

Below the explanation is made clear with the help of examples-

Sl. No.	Examples	Explanations
5.	I will think about joining your company once I reach back home.	Over here, the word ‘once’ serves its use as a conjunction as it helps the second clause add information to the content of first one.
6.	The girl cried once she found out that she had won the competition she worked so hard for.	The two clauses as demonstrated in this example have been linked with the help of the conjunction ‘once’.

Is “once” always a conjunction?

Let us investigate whether or not “once” is always a conjunction.

“Once” is not always a conjunction. It can also function as an adverb in many cases, depending on how it is used.

Let us examine a few instances where the word “once” is not used as a conjunction.

Sl. No.	Examples	Explanations
7.	She was once the recipient of the most prestigious pageant title.	One adverb form of ‘once’ indicates a time in the past as demonstrated by this sentence.
8.	We receive this magazine just once a week.	Another adverb form of ‘once’ showcases occasion where something takes place one time only.

When is “once” not considered as conjunction?

Let us examine instances in which the word “once” is used in grammatical constructions other than conjunctions.

“Once” would not be considered a conjunction when it is not being used to link two clauses together. Depending on context and where it is placed in a sentence, it can sometime also be an adverb.

Here are a few instances of the word “once” being used other than as a conjunction.

Sl. No.	Examples	Explanations
9.	He once ruled this land from end to end but now is nowhere to be seen.	One adverb form of ‘once’ indicates a time in the past as demonstrated by this sentence.
10.	He lent me his journal only once a couple years ago.	Another adverb form of ‘once’ showcases occasion where something takes place one time only.

What kind of conjunction is the word “once”?

Like other conjunctions, “once” belongs to a certain subtype; let us take a look.

“Once” falls under the sub-type of subordinating conjunction as it links the subordinating clause to the main one.

Here are a few instances of the subordinate conjunction “once” in usage.

Sl. No.	Examples	Explanations
11.	Meg started enjoying the gala once she attended it.	The word ‘once’ can be termed as a subordinating conjunction as it helps merge the subordinating clause with the main clause.
12.	We could not stop eating once we started as the meal was just so delicious.	The subordinating clause in this case does not make sense on its own, hence needs a subordinating conjunction like ‘once’ to link it to the dependant clause.

Why is “once” a subordinating conjunction?

Let us explore the reasons behind the subcategorization of the conjunction “once” in more detail.

“Once” is a subordinating conjunction as it connects a subordinate clause or a ‘dependant clause’ to the main clause or the ‘independent clause’.

Let us see more examples on how the word “once” is utilized to connect sentences.

Sl. No.	Examples	Explanations
13.	Ria took a long nap once she was done with all her office work and house chores.	The word ‘once’ can be called a subordinating conjunction as it helps connect the subordinating clause with the main clause before it.
14.	He will be released once he’s able to prove that he is not guilty.	The subordinating clause in this case is connected to the dependant clause with the help of the subordinating conjunction ‘once’.

Examples of “once” as conjunctions

Let us take a look at a few more examples of ‘once’ as conjunctions for better understanding.

Sl. No.	Examples	Explanations
15.	The family sat on the table once the dinner was served.	The second clause has been linked to the first clause with the help of the word ‘once’, hence, making it a conjunction.
16.	My friend felt better once she spoke about the problems she was having.	The subordinating clause in this case is connected to the dependant clause with the help of the subordinating conjunction ‘once’.
17.	The politician promises to change the obsolete laws for good once she is elected.	The dependant clause is connected to the independent clause with the help of the conjunction ‘once’.
18.	The father promised his son some candy once he finished studying for his tests.	Over here, the word ‘once’ serves its use as a conjunction as it helps the second clause add information to the content of first one.
19.	One can only access the information once they have signed up to their site.	The first clause makes sense when the second clause adds more information to it with the use of the conjunction ‘once’.
20.	He will only be able to attend the lecture series once he is selected to do so.	The two clauses as demonstrated in this example have been linked with the help of the conjunction ‘once’.
21.	She said she needs to talk to us about something important once she gets here.	Here, the word ‘once’ is considered a conjunction as it connects two clauses together.

Conclusion

Hence, it is clear that the word “once” functions as a subordinate conjunction in many cases along with functioning in many different grammatical forms.