never conceived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never conceived" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something was never imagined, thought of, or brought into existence. Example: "The idea for such an innovative product was never conceived until now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or never conceived of until that moment.

The New York Times

Carnival was never conceived as an all-black affair.

The Guardian

And they find things that the initial discoverers never conceived of".

The New Yorker

"I never conceived such a mass of misery in the world before".

The Economist

That's an amount of money that the family have probably never conceived of in their life".

The Guardian

The real missing billions are the babies who were simply never conceived.

The New York Times

"BT, Virgin and Sky operate in a way that was never conceived of by the current system of regulation.

The Guardian

The 401(k) plans upon which most workers now rely were never conceived as a holistic retirement system.

The New York Times

You might not buy this, but I never conceived of my first three films as genre films.

The New Yorker

The problem was that they were never conceived of to prevent the "epidemic" of concussions in the game.

The Guardian - Sport

That's precisely the problem with video game baps: they're never conceived as a part of the human they're attached to.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical or technological advancements, "never conceived" can underscore how far thinking has progressed. For example: "Scientists today are achieving results that researchers in the past could have "never conceived".

Common error

Avoid using "never conceived" when simpler alternatives like "never thought of" or "never imagined" suffice. "Never conceived" carries a slightly more formal tone, so use it where this formality enhances the writing, not where it clutters it.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial modifier. The phrase "never conceived" typically functions as an adverbial modifier, describing or qualifying a verb or action. It indicates a state of non-existence in thought or imagination. Ludwig AI's examples showcase the phrase's modifying role, adding depth to the description.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never conceived" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys a complete absence of prior thought or imagination. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, from news articles to scientific writing, though its impact is most pronounced when emphasizing innovation or unexpected outcomes. While simpler alternatives like "never thought of" exist, "never conceived" carries a slightly more formal tone that can enhance the writing, as long as it's not used redundantly. Its primary function is to express a lack of prior thought, making it a useful tool for highlighting novelty and surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never imagined

Focuses on the lack of prior imagination or anticipation.

never dreamt of

Emphasizes the unexpected or surprising nature of something.

never envisioned

Highlights the absence of a mental picture or plan.

never anticipated

Stresses the lack of expectation or foresight.

never contemplated

Indicates a lack of consideration or reflection.

never considered

Highlights the absence of thought or attention given to something.

never occurred to

Focuses on the idea not entering one's mind.

was never thought of

Emphasizes the absence of the idea in someone's mind.

was never brought into existence

Highlights the lack of creation or realization.

was never brought to fruition

Focuses on the failure of an idea or plan to be realized or completed.

FAQs

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

You can use "never conceived" to indicate that something was completely unexpected or unimaginable. For example, "The scale of the project was something they had "never conceived" before."

What are some alternatives to "never conceived"?

Some alternatives include "never imagined", "never dreamt of", or "never envisioned", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "never conceived" than "never thought of"?

Yes, "never conceived" typically carries a slightly more formal and sophisticated tone compared to the more common and straightforward "never thought of". The choice depends on the desired register of your writing.

In what context is "never conceived" most appropriate?

"Never conceived" is most appropriate when emphasizing the novelty or unexpected nature of an idea or event, especially in historical, technological, or innovative contexts. It highlights a complete lack of prior consideration or imagination.