have never been given

USAGE SUMMARY

'have never been given' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that has not yet been received or granted. For example: "I have never been given a chance to show my leadership skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I have never been given a proper explanation.

The Guardian

They have never been given that chance so we need help".

The New York Times

I say "allowed" because there are other pieces that have never been given a chance.

The New Yorker

"We have never been given proof that Israel was involved in this affair".

The Guardian

But we have never been given the opportunity to say if we agree.

The Guardian - Opinion

They have never been given access to political views which oppose the regime.

The Guardian - Opinion

Black women have never been given the proper space to grieve for themselves.

The Guardian

Yet under communism the armed forces have never been given much rice, not by the centre anyway.

The Economist

Mencap and Inclusive Employers have arranged week-long placements for those who have never been given the chance before.

The Guardian

In fact, under the present regime, Christians have never been given special treatment or protection in any way.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

After all, he had never been given an initial hearing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have never been given", ensure the context clearly identifies who was not given something and what that something is for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "have never been given" when an active voice would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "I have never been given feedback", consider "They never gave me feedback".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have never been given" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense, passive voice. It indicates that the subject has not received something at any point in their past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have never been given" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase in the present perfect tense, passive voice. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it expresses that the subject has not received something at any point in their past. It is frequently employed in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts to convey a lack of opportunity, resources, or recognition. While versatile, writers should be mindful of choosing active voice when a direct and impactful tone is desired. Alternatives such as "have not been granted" can provide a more formal tone. Ludwig provides numerous examples highlighting its usage and contextual nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

haven't ever received

This alternative emphasizes the lack of receiving something at any point in the past.

have not been granted

This suggests a formal or official denial of something requested or deserved.

have yet to receive

This indicates that something is expected but has not arrived or been provided.

have not had the opportunity

This focuses on the absence of a chance or occasion to do something.

have been denied

This highlights the act of being refused something.

were not afforded

This implies a lack of access or privilege to something.

have been deprived of

This conveys a sense of being unfairly kept from something.

have been refused

This indicates a direct rejection or denial.

never had access to

This emphasizes the lack of availability or entry to something.

have not been furnished with

This suggests a formal lack of provision of something necessary.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have never been given" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "have not been granted" or "have not been furnished with" depending on the specific context.

What are some common situations where "have never been given" is used?

The phrase "have never been given" is commonly used to express a lack of opportunity, resources, information, or recognition. Examples include "I have never been given a chance to lead" or "They have never been given proper credit".

Is "have never been given" grammatically correct?

Yes, "have never been given" is grammatically correct. It is the present perfect form of the passive voice and is widely used in both written and spoken English.

What is the difference between "have not been given" and "have never been given"?

"Have not been given" simply states that something has not been received, while "have never been given" emphasizes that something has not been received at any point in the past. The latter carries a stronger sense of absence or deprivation.