never been married

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never been married" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has not entered into marriage at any point in their life. Example: "She is a successful career woman who has never been married, focusing instead on her professional goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You've never been married.

The New Yorker

"I've never been married.

The New Yorker

'No kids, never been married?

The New Yorker

She has never been married.

The New York Times

He himself has never been married.

The New York Times

"I've never been married," he said, mournfully.

The New Yorker

Kroeger, 38, has never been married before.

The Guardian - Music

I'm 41 and have never been married.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unlike his father, Earnhardt has never been married.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I've never been married, I wanted to wear white".

The New York Times

Shapiro himself is not, and has never been, married.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never been married" in formal contexts or when providing factual information. For informal settings, consider using alternatives like "single" or "unmarried".

Common error

Do not assume that someone who has "never been married" is unhappy or unfulfilled. This phrase simply indicates a lack of marital history, not a lack of fulfilling relationships or life experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never been married" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase indicating someone's marital status. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and widely used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never been married" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who has not entered into marriage. As shown by Ludwig, it's widely used in news, scientific, and formal contexts to provide factual information about marital status. While generally neutral, consider the context when using this phrase to avoid potential assumptions or insensitivity. Alternatives like "remains unmarried" or simply "single" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Has never tied the knot

Employs an informal, idiomatic expression to indicate that someone has not gotten married.

Has not walked down the aisle

Uses a descriptive and figurative expression to denote the absence of marriage.

Hasn't exchanged vows

Indicates the absence of a marriage ceremony and the associated promises.

Remains unmarried

Uses a formal tone to express that someone is currently not in a state of marriage.

Without a marital history

Focuses on the lack of past marriages in someone's background.

Still a bachelor

Specifically refers to a man who has never been married.

Still a spinster

Specifically refers to a woman who has never been married.

Single by choice

Highlights the intentional aspect of remaining unmarried, suggesting a deliberate decision.

Never taken a spouse

Uses a formal and somewhat legalistic phrasing to indicate the absence of marriage.

Unwedded

Employs a less common, somewhat archaic term for being unmarried.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "never been married"?

The phrase "never been married" means that a person has not entered into marriage at any point in their life. It simply states their marital status as single.

What are some alternative ways to say "never been married"?

You can use alternatives such as "remains unmarried", "single", or "unmarried" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to ask someone if they have "never been married"?

It depends on the context and your relationship with the person. It's generally acceptable in formal settings (like surveys or official forms) but can be considered intrusive in casual conversations if not relevant.

Which is correct, "never been married" or "has never been married"?

"Has never been married" is grammatically more precise. "Never been married" is a shortened, commonly understood version. Both are generally acceptable, but "has never been married" might be preferred in formal writing.