never before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'never before' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to convey something has not happened up until the present. For example, "I have never seen something like this before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We're thriving like never before".

The New Yorker

Never before has he pitched so artistically.

The New York Times - Sports

Never before has privacy been so public.

The Economist

"Never before did I love anyone so".

The New York Times - Arts

Never before has it been so ripped.

The New York Times - Arts

He'd never before worked with glass.

The New Yorker

I'd never before come across this cemetery.

The New Yorker

He'd never before experienced mental health problems.

Independent

But never before then.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A never-before-seen letter?

The Guardian - Books

Watch the never-before-seen clip above.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider pairing "never before" with strong verbs or impactful nouns to maximize its effect. For example, "Never before has such a discovery been made" is more compelling than "Never before has this happened".

Common error

Avoid using "never before" when the context doesn't truly warrant such emphasis. Overusing it can diminish its impact, making your writing sound hyperbolic or insincere. Save it for genuinely novel or exceptional situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never before" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the novelty or uniqueness of an action, event, or state. It indicates that something has not occurred at any previous time, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "Never before has he pitched so artistically."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "never before" is a versatile tool for emphasizing the novelty or uniqueness of a situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "unprecedented" or "for the first time" exist, "never before" provides a distinctive emphasis. However, overuse can diminish its impact, so it's best reserved for instances where the novelty is genuine. Remember to consider the context and tone when incorporating "never before" into your writing to ensure the message is both impactful and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unprecedented

Highlights the lack of similar events in the past.

without precedent

Similar to 'unprecedented', stressing the absence of a prior example.

previously not

Emphasizes the absence of prior occurrence.

for the first time

Indicates the initiation of an action or event.

first time ever

Simple and direct way to express something is happening for the first time.

not ever previously

Adds emphasis on the complete lack of prior instances.

up until now, not

Highlights an event or situation that had not happened until the present moment.

hitherto unknown

More formal, suggesting something was unknown until now.

not in the past

Emphasizes that it didn't happen in the past.

in all history, not

Emphasizes that it didn't happen in past.

FAQs

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

Use "never before" to emphasize that something has not happened at any time in the past. For example, "Never before has he pitched so artistically" or "Never before has buy-in from industry been more important".

What are some alternatives to using "never before"?

Alternatives include "unprecedented", "hitherto unknown", or "for the first time". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "never before"?

Yes, "never before" is grammatically correct. It is an adverbial phrase used to indicate that something has not occurred at any point in the past.

How does the use of "never before" affect the tone of a sentence?

Using "never before" adds emphasis and a sense of significance to a statement. It suggests that the event or situation being described is exceptional or groundbreaking. But be careful not to overuse it, or the effect can be diminished.