like never

USAGE SUMMARY

"like never" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used to emphasize the unlikelihood of something occurring. For example, "She ran faster than ever, like never before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She needs me like never before.

The New York Times

It will inspire you like never before.

WikiHow

"We're thriving like never before".

The New Yorker

Like "Never fear.

The New York Times

He's, like, never around.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lessons like: never quit.

The New York Times - Sports

Second cop: More like never.

The New Yorker

I mean, like, never at all".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I would, like, never do that!

The Guardian - Arts

Fans' chants are travelling like never before.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It was kind of like never-never land," Hartley said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like never" to emphasize the novelty or unprecedented nature of a situation. For example, "The company invested in research and development "like never before", leading to groundbreaking innovations."

Common error

While acceptable, "like never" might sound too informal in strictly academic or professional contexts. Consider using alternatives such as "unprecedentedly" or "to an unprecedented degree" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like never" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the manner or degree to which an action is performed or a state exists, implying a comparison to all previous instances. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "like never" is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize that something is happening to a greater extent than it has before. It appears frequently in news and media, with Ludwig AI confirming its validity. While it's generally acceptable, it might be better to use alternatives such as "more than ever before" or "unprecedentedly" in formal contexts. To ensure clarity, always consider the context in which the phrase is being used and whether a more precise alternative would be beneficial. Although it isn't considered as high-frequency expression, its existence is largely recognised among native speakers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as never before

Omits the word "like" for a slightly more concise and emphatic expression.

more than ever before

Emphasizes the comparison to all previous instances, highlighting the increased intensity.

unlike anything seen before

Shifts focus to the uniqueness of the situation, implying a lack of prior comparable instances.

with unparalleled intensity

Focuses on the strength and degree of something, highlighting its unmatched force.

to an unprecedented degree

Adds "to an" before "unprecedented degree" for a more formal tone.

on an unmatched scale

Stresses the extent and scope of something being larger or greater than before.

in a way not previously experienced

Highlights the novelty and lack of prior familiarity with the manner or method.

unprecedentedly

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb denoting something that has never happened before.

to a degree unseen until now

Emphasizes the novelty and visibility of the current level compared to the past.

at a record level

Indicates the highest level ever attained, suitable for quantifiable metrics.

FAQs

What does the phrase "like never" mean?

The phrase "like never" is used to emphasize that something is happening to a greater extent or in a way that hasn't happened before. It's often used to highlight something unprecedented or exceptional.

Is it grammatically correct to say "like never"?

Yes, the phrase "like never" is grammatically acceptable and commonly used in both spoken and written English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples.

What can I say instead of "like never before"?

You can use alternatives like "more than ever before", "unprecedentedly", or "to an unprecedented degree" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "like never"?

The phrase "like never" is suitable for a variety of contexts but is particularly common in news and media, as well as informal settings. It's used to highlight significant changes or developments that are unprecedented. In formal contexts, you might want to consider using a more sophisticated alternative.