did not inherit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not inherit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the absence of receiving traits, characteristics, or possessions from a predecessor, such as a parent or ancestor. Example: "Despite being the eldest child, she did not inherit her father's artistic talent."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wikipedia

The New York Times

The Guardian

The Economist

Independent

The New Yorker

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thorpe's mother Margaret played A-grade netball, but he did not inherit his parents' ball skills.

Wikipedia

Unlike in Athens, the heiress owned her inheritance and her son did not inherit until she died.

Wikipedia

He did not inherit pretensions.

The New York Times - Books

Yet the Liberals did not inherit a deficit.

The Economist

Aretha did not inherit a purely religious and musical legacy.

The New Yorker

Miller did not inherit a mess from Ralston.

The New York Times

In 2008, Walsh and D'Antoni did not inherit a team, but a demolition job.

The New York Times - Sports

This singing-school-songs thing must be a gene I did not inherit.

The New York Times - Sports

Brad Pitt did not inherit his liberal politics from his mother.

Independent

They did not inherit wealth or connections or rise on rare talent.

The New York Times

— BINYAMIN APPELBAUM Mitt Romney said he did not inherit any money from his parents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not inherit", ensure the context clearly specifies what was not inherited, whether it's a physical possession, a trait, or a responsibility. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "did not inherit" without clearly stating what the subject did not inherit. For example, instead of saying "He did not inherit", specify "He did not inherit his father's business acumen."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not inherit" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of succession or acquisition. It's used to express that someone or something did not receive a particular trait, possession, or responsibility from a predecessor, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not inherit" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something was not passed down or acquired through succession. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reliable sources. Its usage spans across various contexts, with a notable presence in news and media. To ensure clarity, always specify what was not inherited. While alternatives exist, the phrase remains a straightforward and effective way to communicate the absence of inheritance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never inherited

A shortened version of the original phrase, keeping the core meaning intact.

did not acquire by inheritance

Explicitly states the lack of acquisition through the inheritance process.

was not bequeathed

Focuses on the lack of formal transference of possessions or qualities through a will or inheritance process.

did not receive

A more general term indicating the absence of getting something, not necessarily through inheritance.

was not handed down

Emphasizes the lack of transmission of traits or items from one generation to the next.

did not succeed to

Highlights the absence of taking over a position or title, particularly in a hierarchical context.

was not passed on

Similar to "handed down", but can also apply to abstract qualities or characteristics.

did not gain through heredity

Specifically points to the absence of acquiring traits or qualities through genetic inheritance.

was not entitled to

Focuses on the lack of a right or claim to something, which could be an inheritance.

did not come into possession of

Highlights the absence of gaining ownership or control, applicable to tangible or intangible items.

FAQs

How can I use "did not inherit" in a sentence?

You can use "did not inherit" to indicate that someone or something did not receive traits, possessions, or responsibilities from a predecessor. For example: "She "did not inherit" her mother's musical talent."

What are some alternatives to "did not inherit"?

Some alternatives include "did not receive", "was not bequeathed", or "did not succeed to", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "did not inherit" or "never inherited"?

"Did not inherit" and "never inherited" are generally interchangeable. The choice depends on the flow and rhythm of your writing, rather than a difference in formality.

Can "did not inherit" apply to non-biological traits?

Yes, "did not inherit" can be used to describe the lack of acquiring non-biological things such as wealth, power, or responsibilities. For example: "The new CEO "did not inherit" a stable company."