it never is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it never is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is consistently not the case or does not happen, often in response to a statement or expectation. Example: "I thought the meeting would be productive, but it never is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But it never is".

Forbes

Somehow, it never is.

The Economist

(It never is).

The New York Times

It never is, Harry, it never is.

The Guardian - Sport

It never is for anyone.

The New York Times - Magazine

And it never is.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet it never is.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But it never was.

The New York Times

Perhaps it never was.

Independent

Ideologically, it never was.

The New Yorker

It never was.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it never is" to politely contradict an assumption or expectation. This phrase is effective when tempering enthusiasm with a dose of realism.

Common error

While versatile, "it never is" can sound too casual in highly formal writing. In academic papers or business reports, consider using more formal alternatives like "it is rarely the case" or "that outcome is unusual."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it never is" functions primarily as a statement of negation or contradiction. It's used to express that something consistently does not happen or is not the case, often in response to an assumption or expectation, as seen in Ludwig AI's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it never is" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to contradict expectations or assumptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is common across various contexts, but it is mostly concentrated in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it's best to reserve it for less formal settings and to consider more sophisticated alternatives in formal writing. This phrase embodies a touch of skepticism and offers a concise way to introduce a dose of realism into a conversation or text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it almost never is

Uses "almost never" to soften the contradiction slightly.

it is never the case

Rephrases the idea with a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the absence of a condition.

it is invariably not

Uses "invariably" to highlight the consistent absence of something.

that's not how it goes

Offers a more colloquial alternative focusing on the process or outcome.

it rarely happens

Focuses on the infrequency of an event rather than a direct contradiction.

it's hardly ever so

Uses "hardly ever" to express the unlikelihood of a situation.

it is not usually like that

Indicates that a situation deviates from the norm.

it doesn't typically occur

Emphasizes that an event is not a common occurrence.

it seldom turns out that way

Highlights the infrequent nature of a specific result.

that outcome is unusual

Shifts the focus to the rarity of a particular result.

FAQs

How can I use "it never is" in a sentence?

Use "it never is" to express that something is consistently not the case, often in response to a statement or expectation. For example, "I thought the project would be easy, but "it never is"".

What are some alternatives to "it never is"?

You can use alternatives like "it is never the case", "it is invariably not", or "that's not how it goes" depending on the context.

Is "it never is" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it never is" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express that something consistently does not happen or is not the case.

When is it appropriate to use "it never is"?

It's appropriate to use "it never is" in informal and neutral contexts to politely disagree or express skepticism about a previous statement. However, it might be too casual for highly formal or academic writing, where phrases like "it is rarely the case" might be more suitable.