can never happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can never happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the impossibility of a certain event or situation occurring. Example: "Given the current circumstances, I believe that a peaceful resolution to the conflict can never happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This can never happen!

The New York Times - Magazine

But it can never happen".

The Guardian - Tech

This can never happen here again".

The New York Times

It can never happen," he said.

The Guardian

Meyer remembered thinking, "This can never happen.

The New Yorker

This can never happen.'" But it did.

The New York Times

That is not to say they can never happen.

The Economist

You might think such cooperation can never happen.

The Guardian

"It doesn't mean it can never happen," Professor Gillers said.

The New York Times

It was that simple and it can never happen again".

The Guardian - Business

One agreement: What happened the previous night can never happen again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can never happen" to describe an impossible situation, ensure the context clearly supports the definitive nature of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "can never happen" if there's even a slight possibility of the event occurring. Overusing it can weaken your credibility and suggest a lack of realistic assessment. Instead, consider qualifiers like "highly unlikely" or "extremely improbable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can never happen" functions as a declarative statement expressing impossibility or a very low probability of occurrence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it conveys a strong sense of certainty that an event will not take place. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts to reassure, warn, or emphasize the unlikelihood of recurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can never happen" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey the impossibility or extreme unlikelihood of an event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reports to personal assurances. While its meaning is clear, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overstatements that could undermine credibility. Alternatives like "is completely impossible" or "will not occur" can be used to add nuance or formality. This expression appears most frequently in "News & Media", showing how common it is for journalists to write about events that must not be repeated. In summary, "can never happen" is a powerful phrase when used accurately to express a definitive lack of possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is completely impossible

Emphasizes absolute impossibility with stronger wording.

will not occur

States a definite future absence of an event.

is out of the question

Indicates that something is not worth considering.

is not a possibility

Focuses on the lack of potential for something to happen.

has no chance

Highlights the absence of opportunity or likelihood.

is inconceivable

Implies that something is unimaginable or beyond comprehension.

is not going to happen

Uses a more informal tone to state that something will not occur.

is beyond the realm of possibility

Suggests the event is not realistic or achievable.

is a lost cause

Highlights the futility of pursuing something that is unlikely to succeed.

is doomed to fail

Focuses on the inevitable failure of something.

FAQs

How to use "can never happen" in a sentence?

Use "can never happen" to express the impossibility of a certain event or situation occurring. For example, "With these new safety protocols, such an accident "can never happen" again".

What can I say instead of "can never happen"?

You can use alternatives like "is completely impossible", "will not occur", or "is out of the question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can never happen" or "could never happen"?

"Can never happen" implies absolute impossibility, while "could never happen" suggests a lower probability or a hypothetical scenario. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to express.

What's the difference between "can never happen" and "will never happen"?

"Can never happen" emphasizes the inherent impossibility of an event based on current conditions or rules, whereas "will never happen" focuses on a future prediction. For instance, "Time travel "can never happen" based on current scientific understanding", versus "They "will never happen" again after this incident".