never being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a state of not experiencing or not having something occur at any time. Example: "She regrets never being able to travel abroad during her youth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furthermore, the cause of instrumentalization was never being a human being – belonging to the Homo sapiens species.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Or,Becoming, never being, till Becoming is a being still.

The Economist

Never being funny.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She prides herself on never being sick.

The New York Times - Health

My wife, for never being at home.

The Guardian

I am getting used to never being lost.

The New York Times

New Year's resolutions are notorious for never being achieved.

Independent

"It could end up never being published," she said.

The New York Times

He's just one man, made objectionable by never being questioned.

The Guardian - Opinion

Low point: "Never being satisfied with myself, or my work".

The Guardian - Arts

Being conservative means never being too surprised by disappointment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never being" to highlight a contrast or comparison. It is more powerful when juxtaposed with a desired or expected state, such as "never being questioned" in a position of power.

Common error

Avoid using "never being" when a more specific time frame is intended. For example, instead of "never being on time", consider "rarely being on time" if the absence is not absolute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never being" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the absence of a particular state or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable and grammatically sound in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "never being" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express the absence of a state or experience. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a gerund phrase and is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. To ensure clarity, use it to accurately convey the intended lack and consider context-specific alternatives when a more precise time frame is needed. The phrase enjoys high source authority and consistent application in the studied sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without ever being

Adding "ever" reinforces the continuous absence.

not having been

Highlights the absence of a past experience or state of being.

not experiencing

Highlights the lack of direct experience with something.

not ever existing

Emphasizes the complete absence of existence at any point in time.

not once being

Emphasizes that something has not occurred even a single time.

without existing

Focuses on the lack of existence as a condition or state.

failing to be

Focuses on the inability or failure to achieve a state of being.

absence of existence

Stresses the non-existence of something.

devoid of being

Indicates a complete lack of existence or presence.

not to be

Expresses the impossibility or unlikelihood of existing or occurring.

FAQs

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

"Never being" is used to describe a state of not experiencing something at any point. For example, "She regretted "never being" able to travel abroad" or "The fear of "never being asked" is common".

What are some alternatives to "never being"?

Alternatives include phrases like "not having been", "without ever being", or "absence of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "never being" or should I use "never been"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Never being" is often used as a gerund phrase, while "never been" is used in the present perfect tense. For example, "She regrets "never being" able to travel" versus "She has "never been" abroad".

What does "never being satisfied" mean?

"Never being satisfied" describes a state of constant dissatisfaction, where one is always striving for more and "never being" content with their current situation. Alternatives could include "always wanting more" or "perpetually dissatisfied".