it was never

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was never" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about something that either never existed or was never true. For example: It was never possible for me to find the answer to that question.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was never measured.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It was never completed.

Columbia University

It was never released.

Independent

It was never shown.

The New Yorker

It was never true.

The Economist

It was never marketed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It is never destroyed.

Yale University

It's never linear.

University of California, Berkeley

It's never worked.

Cornell University

It's never happened.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It is never quiet".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was never" in writing, make sure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was never" excessively in lengthy and convoluted sentences, as this can make the writing difficult to follow. Simplify the sentence structure to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was never" functions as a negative assertion, indicating the absence or non-occurrence of something in the past. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in negating actions, qualities, or states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

24%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was never" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to negate a past condition or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, it serves to make definitive negative statements. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overuse in complex sentences. Alternatives like "it has never been" or "it did not happen" can provide variety while maintaining similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has never been

Focuses on the continuing absence of something up to the present.

it had never been

Shifts the perspective to a point in the past before another past event.

it was not ever

Emphasizes the negation with the inclusion of "ever".

it did not happen

Focuses directly on the event not occurring.

it never came to be

Highlights the failure of something to materialize.

it remained undone

Emphasizes the lack of completion.

it was not

A shorter, more direct negation.

it failed to be

Focuses on the failure of something to exist or occur.

it wasn't

A contraction of "it was not", making it more informal.

it at no time was

Emphasizes that at no moment something happened or was true.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was never" to express that something did not happen or exist at any time in the past. For instance, "it was never my intention to cause harm" or "it was never proven that he committed the crime".

What are some alternatives to "it was never"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it has never been", "it did not happen", or "it failed to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it was never" and "it is never"?

"It was never" refers to something that did not happen or exist in the past, while "it is never" refers to something that does not happen or exist in the present or future. For example, "it was never completed" versus "it is never too late".

Is it correct to say "it never was" instead of "it was never"?

While "it never was" is grammatically correct, "it was never" is more common and generally preferred in contemporary English. "It never was" might sound slightly archaic or emphasize a different nuance, depending on context.