have never even

USAGE SUMMARY

"have never even" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to emphasize that something has never been done or experienced. Example: "I have never even been to Europe, let alone traveled to other continents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I have never even been sued.

The New Yorker

I have never even heard some of these words before.

The New Yorker

Most of them have never even made any money themselves.

The New Yorker

Many of the bloggers have never even met.

The New York Times

When you have never even owned a bicycle.

The New York Times

"I have never even seen cannabis, or any other drug.

Independent

"I have never even been on a march.

The New York Times

"I have never even volunteered for a political campaign".

The New York Times

I have never even seen her open a Qur'an".

The Guardian

I have never even considered leaving the church.

The New York Times - Books

"Most of us have never even seen these pills.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have never even" to emphasize a complete lack of experience or exposure to something. It adds a layer of surprise or disbelief to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "have never even" excessively in highly formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound too informal or conversational. Opt for more neutral phrasing if a more serious tone is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have never even" functions as an emphatic negative statement. It intensifies the negation by highlighting a complete lack of experience or action. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to underscore the absence of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have never even" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to emphasize a complete lack of experience or action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an emphatic negative statement, often expressing surprise or disbelief. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral contexts, with less frequent usage in highly formal writing. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Yorker. For alternatives, consider options like "have not ever" or "have yet to" to suit different tones and contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have not so much as

Emphasizes the absence of even a minimal action or encounter.

have not ever

Emphasizes the lack of past experience, but is more formal.

have not at all

Emphasizes the completeness of the lack of action.

have not once

Highlights the complete absence of an event occurring.

have absolutely not

Stresses a firm and complete negation.

have yet to

Indicates that something is still pending or has not happened up to the present time.

never did

Simple past tense emphasizing the absence of a past action.

have not ever bothered

Adds a sense of disinterest or lack of motivation.

have no experience

Focuses on the lack of practical knowledge or skill.

haven't even begun

Focuses on not even starting something.

FAQs

How can I use "have never even" in a sentence?

You can use "have never even" to emphasize a lack of experience, like "I "have never even been to Europe"". It highlights the absence of an action or experience.

What's a good alternative to "have never even"?

Alternatives include "have not ever", or ""have yet to"", depending on the context. These can provide a more formal or nuanced way to express the same sentiment.

Is it grammatically correct to say "have never even"?

Yes, "have never even" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's used to emphasize that something has not happened or been experienced. Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical correctness.

What's the difference between "have never even" and "have never"?

"Have never" simply states that something hasn't happened. "Have never even" adds emphasis, suggesting surprise or disbelief that the action hasn't occurred, such as "I "have never" seen snow" versus "I "have never even seen snow"".