never crossed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never crossed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something has not happened or been considered. Example: "The idea of quitting my job never crossed my mind." Alternative expressions include "never occurred" and "never entered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That never crossed our minds.

The New Yorker

It never crossed my mind".

The New York Times

"That never crossed my mind.

The New York Times

Their paths never crossed.

The New York Times

He never crossed my boundaries; I never crossed his.

The New York Times

Black teas, especially, never crossed my tongue.

The New York Times - Travel

"It never crossed my mind," he said.

The New Yorker

It just never crossed my mind".

The New Yorker

"That never crossed anybody's mind".

The New York Times

These three worlds never crossed each other.

The New Yorker

Apparently, it never crossed his mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never crossed" to express that an idea, option, or possibility was not considered or did not come to mind. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "never crossed" when you mean something was briefly considered but rejected. The phrase implies a complete lack of consideration, not a dismissal after initial thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never crossed" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing a lack of consideration or awareness regarding a particular idea or option. As Ludwig AI demonstrates, this phrase indicates that something did not occur to someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never crossed" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a complete lack of consideration or awareness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral register makes it versatile for various contexts, from news articles to casual conversations. While alternatives like ""never occurred"" and "didn't consider" exist, understanding the subtle differences in meaning is key to effective communication. Be mindful not to use it when an idea was briefly considered and then rejected; it's best reserved for instances where the thought simply didn't arise at all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never entered my mind

Similar to the original, but more personal and emphatic.

never occurred

Emphasizes the lack of an idea coming to mind.

didn't consider

Highlights a lack of active thought or contemplation.

I hadn't contemplated

Emphasizes a lack of thoughtful consideration.

was not an option

Suggests the idea was outside the realm of possibility.

it wasn't on my radar

Indicates something was not noticed or considered relevant.

was the furthest thing from my mind

Indicates a low probability or consideration of something.

it didn't register

Focuses on a lack of conscious awareness.

didn't dawn on me

Focuses on a delayed realization or understanding.

was beyond my comprehension

Highlights the idea being too complex or difficult to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "never crossed" to indicate that something was not considered or didn't come to mind. For example, "The thought of quitting "never crossed" my mind" means you didn't even consider quitting.

What's a more formal alternative to "never crossed"?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "it "never occurred" to me" or "I hadn't contemplated that possibility".

What does it mean when someone says "that never crossed my mind"?

It means they didn't think of something, it wasn't a possibility they considered. It implies a complete absence of the idea from their thoughts.

Is it correct to say "never crossed to me" instead of "never crossed my mind"?

No, "never crossed to me" is not grammatically correct. The correct expression is "never crossed my mind".