it never took

USAGE SUMMARY

"it never took" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something did not happen, or to convey that the time for something to happen has passed. For example: "I waited and waited, but it never took."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It never took off, mainly down to its unwieldy size meaning the runner was likely to have struggled to run at full speed, rendering the product somewhat useless.

BBC

And though its presence in small towns can be cancerous, it never took over rural America.

The New York Times

It never took off.

The New York Times - Tech

It never took place.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, it never took off.

Harvard Business Review

It never took taxpayer money.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But so often, it never takes place.

The New York Times

It never takes itself too seriously.

The New York Times

And it never takes a fall.

The New York Times - Travel

Since English ivy is evergreen, it never takes a break.

The New York Times

A self-avoiding walk (SAW) on the square lattice is prudent if it never takes a step towards a vertex it has already visited.

Journal of Combinatorial Theory, Series A

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it never took" to describe plans, ideas, or initiatives that were started but ultimately failed to achieve the intended result. For example: "The project was well-intentioned, but "it never took" due to lack of funding".

Common error

Avoid using "it never took" when you mean something else 'never happened'. "It never took" implies that an action or process was initiated but did not succeed or conclude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it never took" primarily functions as a statement indicating the failure of an event, plan, or initiative to succeed or gain momentum. As Ludwig AI explains, it emphasizes something not happening. The provided examples showcase its usage in diverse contexts, from business ventures to personal experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it never took" is a versatile expression used to convey the lack of success or momentum of a particular endeavor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and common in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, business, and science contexts. While the phrase itself is neutral, ensure its suitability for the intended audience and context and consider similar alternatives like "it did not happen" or "it failed to materialize" for added formality. Remembering not to confuse it with simple statements of something not occurring, it is a useful phrase to keep in your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it did not happen

Replaces "took" with a more general verb, focusing on the lack of occurrence.

it never came about

Suggests that the event in question never occurred or developed.

it was not successful

Focuses on the lack of positive outcome or achievement.

it failed to materialize

Emphasizes the lack of realization or coming into being.

it did not work out

Indicates a failure to achieve the desired result or outcome.

it didn't gain traction

Specifically refers to a lack of progress or momentum.

it didn't come to pass

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic phrasing.

it remained unrealized

Highlights the unfulfilled potential or intention.

it proved unfruitful

Emphasizes the lack of beneficial results or outcomes.

it was all for naught

Implies that previous effort did not result in an useful result

FAQs

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

Use "it never took" to express that something didn't succeed or gain momentum after being initiated. For instance, "The app was launched with great fanfare, but "it never took off"."

What's a more formal alternative to "it never took"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "it did not materialize", "it failed to gain traction", or "it did not come to fruition".

Is it correct to say "it never took off" instead of "it never took"?

The phrase "it never took off" is a common and idiomatic way to say that something didn't become popular or successful. While "it never took" can be used more broadly, "it never took off" specifically implies a lack of widespread adoption or success.

Can "it never took" be used in all contexts?

While "it never took" is versatile, ensure it fits the context. It's best used when referring to something that was initiated but failed to progress or achieve its goal. In other cases, alternatives like "it never happened" might be more appropriate.