never be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong negation or a commitment to not become something in the future. Example: "I will never be afraid to speak my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Means can never be.

The New York Times

You'll never be wrong.

Independent

Some may never be.

The Economist

Bachelors should never be.

The New Yorker

— will never be known.

The New York Times

I never be calm.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'll never be glad".

The New York Times

Never be arrested 24.

Independent

"I'll never be racist.

The Guardian

They'll never be satisfied.

The New York Times

You'll never be bored.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "never be", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are expressing impossibility, prohibition, or a strong negative prediction.

Common error

Avoid using "never be" in contexts that require an affirmative statement. This phrase is strictly negative and can cause confusion if used incorrectly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never be" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing strong negation, prohibition, or impossibility. Examples in Ludwig show it used to deny future actions or states. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never be" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey strong negation, prohibition, or impossibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. As seen in the examples, "never be" appears commonly in news, science, and wiki sources. When using "never be", clarity is key; ensure the context clearly conveys whether you're expressing impossibility, prohibition, or a negative future prediction. Alternatives such as "will not ever be", "cannot be", and "is not going to be" offer nuanced variations for expressing similar ideas. Avoid using "never be" in affirmative contexts to prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will never exist

Focuses on the non-existence of something in the future.

cannot be

Expresses impossibility or inability for something to happen or exist.

shall never be

A more formal or emphatic way of saying something will not happen.

will not ever be

Adds emphasis to the negation of a future event or state.

is not going to be

Indicates a future state that is not expected or intended to occur.

is impossible to be

Highlights the impossibility of achieving a certain state or condition.

won't be

A contraction of "will not be", expressing a future negation.

can't be

Short form of "cannot be", used to denote impossibility.

could never be

Suggests a lack of possibility based on certain conditions or circumstances.

should never be

Implies a recommendation or expectation that something ought not to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "never be" in a sentence?

The phrase "never be" is used to express a strong negation or impossibility. For example, "I will "never be" late again" or "That can "never be" allowed to happen".

What are some alternatives to "never be"?

Alternatives include phrases like "will not ever be", "cannot be", or "is not going to be". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "will never be" instead of "never be"?

Yes, "will "never be"" is a grammatically correct and commonly used alternative. It often adds emphasis to the negation.

What's the difference between "never be" and "should never be"?

"Never be" expresses a firm impossibility or prohibition, while "should "never be"" implies a recommendation or expectation that something ought not to happen. For example, "That mistake should "never be" repeated" suggests it's highly undesirable, not necessarily impossible.