never done before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'never done before' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe something new or unique that someone is doing or has done. For example, "He's going to be the first person to climb the mountain - something that's never been done before!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's something I've never done before," Sorenstam said today.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a whole new ballgame like we've never done before," he said.

The New York Times

Try things you have never done before!

WikiHow

Find something you have never done before, that you love.

WikiHow

This is something I've never done before.

The New York Times - Sports

"This, I have never done before".

The New York Times

That's something I've never done before.

The Guardian

"You're asking us to do something we've never done before".

The New York Times

The ability to do something I had never done before".

The New York Times - Arts

It was, he said, something he had never done before.

The New York Times

I tried intravenous injection, which I had never done before.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never done before" to emphasize the novelty or uniqueness of an action, event, or creation. This can add impact when describing innovations, personal experiences, or historical moments.

Common error

Avoid using "never done before" for mundane or insignificant actions. This can dilute the phrase's impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for genuinely unique or unprecedented situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never done before" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing an action, event, or object. As evidenced by Ludwig, it highlights novelty and uniqueness. It emphasizes the lack of precedent, signifying that something is original or unprecedented.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "never done before" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the novelty or uniqueness of an action, event, or object. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, consider using more formal alternatives in academic or scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure it is reserved for situations that are truly unique or unprecedented to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "unprecedented" or "novel" can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unprecedented

This alternative emphasizes the lack of prior occurrence and uniqueness of the situation.

novel

This alternative suggests something new and original.

groundbreaking

This alternative highlights the innovative and pioneering aspect of the action.

first of its kind

This alternative directly states that there is no previous example of something.

hitherto unknown

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the prior lack of knowledge about something.

a first

This alternative is a shorter, more informal way of saying something has not happened previously.

without precedent

This alternative stresses that no previous situation compares.

brand new

This alternative emphasizes the newness and freshness.

unheard of

This alternative emphasizes that something is not within prior knowledge or experience.

a new experience

This alternative focuses on the personal aspect of experiencing something for the first time.

FAQs

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

You can use "never done before" to describe an action or event that is unique or has not occurred previously. For example, "This type of surgery is "never done before", so we must be extra careful".

What are some alternatives to "never done before"?

Alternatives include "unprecedented", "novel", or "groundbreaking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "never done before" formal or informal?

"Never done before" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, you might consider more sophisticated alternatives like "hitherto unknown".

Can "never done before" be used to describe personal experiences?

Yes, it can be used to describe personal experiences that are new or unique to the individual. For example, "I tried skydiving, something I had "never done before"".