Regarding a word "for once"

Question

Sentence: "Not for once he tried to stop the media from spreading rumors"My sentence/doubt: Is for once has been used correctly in this sentence ? Does it make the sentence wrong ?Thanks

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

The sentence should read: Not once did he try to stop the media from spreading rumors.

CB

Joe2012 · Answer

Would it be right if it was like this: "Not once he had tried to stop the media from spreading rumors" ?

Thanks

Cool Breeze · Answer

RazerWould it be right if it was like this: "Not once he had tried to stop the media from spreading

No, I'm afraid it wouldn't be right.

If you begin a sentence withnot, inversion is needed in the main clause, and in this sentence there is only one clause, the main clause.

This is an English peculiarity among the Germanic languages. If not begins a sentence, inversion is required in the main clause. As far as I know, no other Germanic language behaves this way. On the other hand, most of (all of ?) the other Germanic languages require inversion if an adverb of time, place or manner begins a clause - English doesn't:

Här är jag. = Here I am. (Not: Here am I.)

Well, usually not. Inversion in cases like this isn't completely alien to English and it actually does occur occasionally. Practices that were common centuries ago die hard! You may hear: Here am I instead of here I am.

CB

CalifJim · Answer

RazerSentence: "Not for once he tried to stop the media from spreading rumors"

My sentence/doubt: Is for once has been used correctly in this sentence ? Does it make the sentence wrong ?

Thanks

I read the sentence differently from CB. I think not for once is a mistaken substitution for not for the first time. It should read (without the inversion):

Not for the first time, he tried to stop the media from spreading rumors.

I admit I'm going only on intuition, but I think the sentence is talking about repeated attempts to influence the media, not about the absence of any such attempt.

CJ

Regarding a word "for once"

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