never been contacted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never been contacted" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone has not received any communication or outreach from another party. Example: "Despite my application, I have never been contacted by the company." Alternative expressions include "not been reached out to" and "never received a message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

I've never been contacted.

The Guardian

They said they had never been contacted.

The New York Times

Seven in ten Latinos have never been contacted by an organization working to reduce global warming.

Yale University

Three in four Spanish-language Latinos (75%) have never been contacted.

Yale University

A year later, the mental-retardation office reported that it had never been contacted.

The New York Times

I have never been contacted by anyone connected to WikiLeaks, either directly or indirectly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The individual investors may never be contacted.

The New York Times

But in a recent interview with the BBC, Jalaluddin Haqqani's son and its current leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, has said there have "never been contacts by intelligence agencies of other countries (including Pakistan) which could be effective for us".

BBC

The only exception to this aggressive follow-up protocol was for the 269 participants who at some point between 1995 and 2007 asked never to be contacted again.

BMC Public Health

He said he had never been officially contacted about moving them.

The New York Times

"I've never been directly contacted," the mayor said in his tidy Main Street office just hours before the throngs arrived.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the active voice alternatives (e.g. "no one contacted me") when a more direct and personal tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "never been contacted" when you actually mean "never contacted." The passive voice implies an expectation or possibility of contact that did not occur, whereas the active voice simply states that contact did not happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never been contacted" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence did not receive communication from someone or something. As Ludwig AI shows, this can apply to individuals, organizations, or even abstract entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never been contacted" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in News & Media and Academic contexts. The phrase implies a passive state where the subject did not receive an expected or desired outreach. While "never been contacted" is generally neutral in register, the specific context can influence the perceived tone. It's crucial to consider the intended audience and purpose when choosing between "never been contacted" and more direct alternatives like "no one contacted me". By considering potential errors and exploring alternative phrasings, writers can ensure clarity and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not been reached

Focuses on the act of reaching out, implying an attempt to communicate that failed.

not been in touch

Emphasizes the lack of an ongoing connection or conversation.

not heard from

Highlights the absence of any communication from a specific person or entity.

not been notified

Specifically refers to the lack of an official announcement or piece of information.

not been informed

Focuses on the absence of knowledge or awareness due to lack of communication.

no one reached out to me

Shifts the perspective to a first-person narrative, emphasizing personal experience.

nobody contacted me

A more direct and informal way of stating the lack of contact.

not been approached

Implies a lack of initiation or overture from another party.

remained uncontacted

Emphasizes the state of being without contact over a period of time.

communication never occurred

Focuses on the absence of any exchange or interaction.

FAQs

What does "never been contacted" mean?

The phrase "never been contacted" means that someone or some entity has not received any form of communication from another party. It implies a lack of outreach or attempt to make contact.

What can I say instead of "never been contacted"?

You can use alternatives like "not been reached", "not heard from", or "nobody contacted me" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "I have never been contacted" or "I was never contacted"?

Both "I have never been contacted" and "I was never contacted" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The former emphasizes the ongoing state, while the latter focuses on a past event.

How can I use "never been contacted" in a sentence?

You can use "never been contacted" in a sentence like, "Despite applying for the job, I have "never been contacted" by the company," or, "The victim's family said they have "never been contacted" by the police."