never for once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never for once" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally means that something has never happened even once. Example sentence: I have never, for once, gone to bed before midnight.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I never thought for once in my life that I will be in this kind of environment.

The Guardian

Also, because she believed her Uncle Willie who was never interviewed deserved, for once, to have the final word.

Vice

Out of contract at the end of this year, it is now or never for the player once dubbed "The English Billy Slater" by then Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown to prove he is good enough for the Broncos.

The Guardian - Sport

"For Once" never accumulates momentum, poetry or energy.

The New York Times - Arts

In any case, it's good to hear the truth for once, never mind the motivation.(Photo credit: AFP).

The Economist

The frequencies of PZQ usage among the 210 cases and 840 controls were 48.6 vs. 66.0 for never, 32.9 vs. 24.4 for once, 8.6 vs. 4.9 for twice, and 10.0 % vs. 4.8 % for more than twice, respectively.

BMC Cancer

With that in mind, James S. Russell is to be congratulated for never once mentioning the obvious.

The New York Times - Arts

Soon the pair are pursued by a gaggle of irate shopkeepers who only catch up with them when the elephant stops abruptly to berate the bad baby for never once saying please!

The Guardian

You are admired for your fortitude, for your endurance of years of war, struggle, pain and bloodshed, the violation of Polish land and civilisation by successive dictatorships, and throughout all this misery, for never once allowing your travails to crush your spirit.

The Guardian

You'd probably question my sanity for never once sitting down when I eat and then judge my ridiculously low water consumption, rightfully so.

Huffington Post

"Taylor, you have grown up right before our very eyes, and I want to thank you from a grateful industry for never once humping a teddy bear or gyrating with Beetlejuice," he said.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "never for once", ensure that the context emphasizes the complete absence of an event or action. This phrase adds subtle emphasis and is most effective when highlighting a surprising or unexpected lack of occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "never for once" in very casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler alternatives like "not even once" or "never" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never for once" functions as an intensifier modifying a verb. It emphasizes the complete absence of an action or event. While grammatically valid, Ludwig indicates it is used rarely, suggesting caution in its widespread adoption.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "never for once" is a grammatically correct way to emphasize the complete absence of an event, but it is rarely used in contemporary English. As Ludwig highlights, simpler and more direct alternatives like "not even once" or "never" are generally preferred. While technically valid, be mindful of the context and audience when choosing to use "never for once", as it can sometimes sound overly formal or awkward. It's more effective in situations where you want to add a subtle layer of emphasis to the absence of an occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not even once

Emphasizes the complete absence of an occurrence; slightly more common than "never for once".

not a single time

Highlights the lack of even one instance; more direct and less nuanced than the original.

on no occasion

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "never"; suitable for formal writing.

not once ever

Adds extra emphasis to the lack of occurrence; can sound slightly redundant.

never at all

Indicates a complete absence; broader in scope and less specific than "never for once".

not in any instance

A formal and somewhat legalistic way to express "never for once".

hasn't ever

A more colloquial contraction of 'has not ever'; more conversational.

never in any way

Focuses on the complete lack of something happening in any manner.

absolutely never

Emphasizes the impossibility of an event occurring; conveys strong negation.

not one time

Directly states the absence of even a single instance; very straightforward.

FAQs

How can I use "never for once" in a sentence?

Use "never for once" to emphasize that something has not happened even on a single occasion. For example, "I have "never for once" considered leaving this city."

What can I say instead of "never for once"?

You can use alternatives like "not even once", "not a single time", or simply "never" depending on the desired emphasis and context.

Which is correct, "never for once" or "never once"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "never once" is more common and generally preferred for its simplicity and directness. "Never for once" adds a slight nuance of emphasis.

Is "never for once" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically sound, "never for once" can sometimes sound slightly awkward or redundant in formal writing. Consider using "on no occasion" or a more direct alternative for a smoother, more professional tone.