could never be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could never be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an impossibility or a strong belief that something is not achievable or will not happen. Example: "Despite his efforts, he felt that true happiness could never be attained without genuine connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You could never be bored".

The New York Times - Travel

She could never be forgotten.

The New York Times

Alito could never be drawn.

The New Yorker

Politics could never be like that.

The Economist

"It could never be duplicated anywhere else".

The New York Times - Sports

There could never be another Burt Roberts.

The New York Times

Picasso could never be so insouciantly free.

The New Yorker

"He could never be an actor".

The New Yorker

He could never be with that brain".

Independent

He could never be accused of that.

Independent

Paisley himself could never be outflanked.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could never be" to express a strong belief that something is impossible or will not happen, particularly when discussing potential or hypothetical scenarios. For instance, "He could never be elected after that scandal" suggests it is highly unlikely he will win an election.

Common error

Avoid using "could never be" when a weaker expression of possibility is more appropriate. "Might not be" or "unlikely to be" are better choices if you want to acknowledge a small chance of something happening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could never be" functions as a modal phrase expressing a strong sense of impossibility or negation of a potential state. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it sets a firm boundary on what is deemed unachievable or unattainable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could never be" is a modal phrase used to express a strong sense of impossibility or the negation of a potential state. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, alternative phrases like "will never be" or "can never be" might be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance. When using the phrase, consider the strength of the statement, as overstating the impossibility might be misleading in contexts where a slight chance remains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will never be

Indicates a future impossibility with certainty, differing in tense.

can never be

Suggests an impossibility based on current conditions or rules, subtly changing the basis of the impossibility.

could not possibly be

Emphasizes the impossibility with an adverb, adding intensity.

would never be

Implies a conditional impossibility, dependent on certain circumstances.

is absolutely impossible

Replaces the modal verb with a direct statement of impossibility.

is out of the question

Indicates that something is not allowed or not a viable option.

is simply not possible

Highlights the lack of feasibility of something.

is not an option

Focuses on the lack of choice or availability.

is beyond the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something is extremely unlikely or unrealistic.

there's no way

An informal way to express impossibility or disbelief.

FAQs

How can I use "could never be" in a sentence?

Use "could never be" to express impossibility or a very low probability, such as, "That plan "could never be" implemented due to lack of resources."

What are some alternatives to "could never be"?

Alternatives include "will never be", "can never be", or "is impossible", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is "could never be" stronger than "might never be"?

Yes, "could never be" indicates a much stronger degree of impossibility compared to "might never be", which suggests only a possibility that something won't happen.

Can "could never be" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "could never be" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, though the specific context should guide the choice of words to ensure clarity and precision.