never gets around to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never gets around to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has not yet completed a task or action they intended to do. Example: "She always talks about starting a new exercise routine, but she never gets around to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

She never gets around to it, though.

The New Yorker

"But she never gets around to it".

The New York Times - Style

Silicon Valley never gets around to disrupting the lobbyists.

The Guardian - Opinion

More precisely, it never gets around to putting them in.

The New York Times - Books

(In fully half of collisions, the driver never gets around to hitting the brakes).

The Economist

Surely that topic deserves respectful and dignified analysis, but, strangely, Povinelli never gets around to it.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But I never get around to it.

Harvard Business Review

We never got around to pharmaceuticals.

The New York Times

"I never get around to it.

The New York Times

He never got around to it.

The New York Times

"I never got around to asking him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never gets around to" when you want to express that someone intended to do something but didn't due to various reasons like lack of time, forgetfulness, or shifting priorities.

Common error

While "never gets around to" is acceptable, it might sound too informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "fails to complete" or "does not manage to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never gets around to" functions as a verb phrase expressing a failure or inability to complete a task or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It indicates that someone intended to do something but did not manage to accomplish it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never gets around to" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate that someone intended to do something but didn't manage to accomplish it. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While its usage is generally acceptable, it's important to consider the formality of the writing. For more formal settings, alternatives like "fails to complete" or "does not manage to" are recommended. To effectively use the phrase, ensure that the context clearly conveys the intended but unfulfilled action, and be mindful of maintaining an appropriate tone. Remember, mastering these nuances allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never manages to

Focuses on the lack of ability or success in completing the action.

doesn't find time to

Highlights the lack of available time as the reason for not completing the action.

fails to complete

Emphasizes the unsuccessful completion of a task.

never gets the chance to

Suggests that opportunities to complete the action are absent.

postpones indefinitely

Highlights the continuous delaying of an action without a clear end.

keeps putting off

Emphasizes the repeated act of delaying something.

neglects to do

Implies a lack of attention or care in not performing the action.

overlooks the opportunity to

Suggests a missed chance or oversight in performing the action.

omits to perform

Formally indicates the act of leaving out or failing to do something.

leaves undone

Simply states that something remains uncompleted or unfinished.

FAQs

What does "never gets around to" mean?

It means that someone intends to do something but doesn't manage to find the time, opportunity, or motivation to actually do it.

How can I use "never gets around to" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "She always intends to start exercising, but she "never gets around to" it."

What are some alternatives to "never gets around to"?

You can use alternatives like "never manages to", "doesn't find time to", or "fails to complete" depending on the context.

Is "never gets around to" too informal for academic writing?

In some cases, yes. While grammatically correct, more formal options like "does not manage to" or "fails to complete" may be preferable in academic contexts.