never been use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never been use" is not correct in English; it should be "never been used." You can use it when referring to something that has not been utilized or employed at any time in the past.
Example: "This tool has never been used, so it is still in its original packaging."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Never been used.

Independent

It has never been used.

The Guardian

"I've never been used to it.

The New York Times

They have clearly never been used.

The Guardian

It's never been used for actors before.

The New York Times - Arts

Some of the fireplaces have never been used.

The New York Times

Three words that have never been used to describe me.

The New Yorker

This type of control order has never been used.

The Guardian - Opinion

The wealth produced has never been used to create industry".

The Guardian

It had never been used before, and it caught on.

The Guardian

This evidence has never been used in a court.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the past participle form of the verb (e.g., "used", "utilized", "employed") after "been" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, use "never been used" instead of "never been use".

Common error

Avoid using the base form of a verb after "been". The correct structure requires the past participle. For instance, it's grammatically wrong to say "It has never been use". Instead, always say "It has never been used".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never been use" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to function as a negative perfect construction, indicating something has not been utilized. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the correct form is "never been used."

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "never been use" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "never been used", employing the past participle "used" after "been". As noted by Ludwig AI, the inaccuracy lies in the incorrect verb form. While the intent is to convey that something hasn't been used before, the error undermines the phrase's effectiveness. Therefore, always ensure the use of the past participle to maintain grammatical correctness. Alternative phrases, such as "has not been used" or "never utilized", are available depending on the context. Remember to avoid this common error to ensure clarity and professionalism in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never been used

Corrects the grammatical error of using the base form of the verb instead of the past participle.

has not been used

Rephrases using "has not been" to emphasize the present perfect negative.

never utilized

Substitutes "used" with the more formal synonym "utilized".

never employed

Replaces "used" with "employed", suggesting a formal context.

not previously used

Highlights the lack of prior use.

remains unused

Indicates that something is still in a state of not being used.

has remained untouched

Emphasizes the lack of any interaction or use.

never put to use

Focuses on the absence of practical application.

not been put into service

Suggests that something has not been activated or made operational.

has not seen any use

Uses a more descriptive and figurative expression.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "never been use"?

The correct phrase is "never been used". The past participle "used" should be used instead of the base form "use" after "been".

What's the difference between "never been use" and "never been used"?

"Never been use" is grammatically incorrect, while "never been used" is the correct form. The latter uses the past participle of the verb "use", which is required after "been".

What does "never been used" mean?

It means something has not been utilized or employed at any time in the past. It indicates a lack of prior use or application.

Are there alternatives to the phrase "never been used"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "never utilized", "has not been used", or "remains unused".