Once upon a time, a rabbit met a fox.

Meaning: At a specific moment in the past, a rabbit encountered a fox.

Choice of Words: Once is used to talk about a particular time in the past. Upon is a preposition that means on or in. Time refers to a period or point in history. Rabbit is a small, furry mammal with long ears. Met means to come into the presence or company of someone or something. Fox is a small, carnivorous mammal with a bushy tail.

Alternative Expressions

There was a time when a rabbit crossed paths with a fox.

Meaning: This sentence introduces the story of a rabbit and a fox who crossed paths at some point in the past.

Choice of Words: There is used to refer to a place or situation. Was is the past tense of the verb to be. A is used before a noun to indicate one. Time refers to a period or point in the past, present, or future. When is used to introduce a clause that describes a time. A is used before a noun to indicate one. Rabbit is a small furry animal with long ears and a short tail. Crossed means to move across or over something. Paths is the plural form of path, which means a way or route from one place to another. With is used to indicate an association or connection between two things. A is used before a noun to indicate one. Fox is a medium-sized carnivorous mammal with a bushy tail.

In days of yore, a rabbit encountered a fox.

Meaning: This sentence introduces the story of a rabbit and a fox who met each other a long time ago.

Choice of Words: In is used to indicate a place or situation. Days is the plural form of day, which refers to a period of time from sunrise to sunset. Of is used to indicate a relationship between two things. Yore is an old-fashioned word that means a long time ago. A is used before a noun to indicate one. Rabbit is a small furry animal with long ears and a short tail. Encountered means to meet or come into contact with someone or something unexpectedly.

Related Expressions