never got around to doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never got around to doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone intended to do something but did not manage to do it due to various reasons, often implying a lack of time or priority. Example: "I meant to call my friend last week, but I never got around to doing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"We wanted to do something, but we never got around to doing it.

The New Yorker

I am no different from any of the young women Jian is alleged to have abused – I'm just lucky that he never got around to doing it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Among the many things the House never got around to doing before shutting down for the summer was holding a vote on a bill that would have granted permanent normal trade relations to Russia.

The New York Times

If Mary never got around to doing it, neither did Joseph, did he?" If this sounds sacrilegious, we are, after all, celebrating St. Valentine's Day in San Francisco, where language is code and a cover-up for sentimental feelings.

The New York Times - Books

Usually, the calls were complaints, Ms. Tams said, adding: "It's been one of those things where we were going to go to him and talk to him about having him change his fictitious name, but it's something we never got around to doing.

The New York Times

Would you feel let down or betrayed if he or she never got around to doing so?

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

All those little things you've been meaning to do but never got around to? Do them.

HuffPost

Firstly, it's about procrastination – about all the things we mean to do and never get around to doing.

The Guardian

Precisely when this happened, I told Mr. Sorensen, I could not say, confessing that I had never gotten around to doing the research.

The New York Times

He can never get around to doing his Christmas shopping, even though his successful practice affords him plenty of time to do so.

The New York Times

WAITITI Humans are so [expletive] stupid and boring and lazy, that given the gift of immortality, you'd never get around to doing anything.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never got around to doing" when you want to convey that an action was intended but ultimately not completed due to time constraints, lack of motivation, or shifting priorities.

Common error

Don't use "never got around to doing" if you mean someone refused or deliberately avoided doing something. This phrase implies intent that was not fulfilled, not a conscious decision to abstain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never got around to doing" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a lack of completion of an intended action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates something one meant to do but didn't accomplish.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "never got around to doing" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express that an intended action was not completed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It’s most frequently found in news and media, as well as general writing and wiki entries. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of an unfulfilled intention, not a deliberate refusal. Some good alternatives are "didn't find time to do" or "left undone".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't find time to do

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

didn't manage to complete

Emphasizes a lack of success in finishing the task.

left undone

Highlights the state of the task as unfinished.

failed to accomplish

Stresses the failure to achieve the intended outcome.

omitted to do

A more formal way of saying the task was not done, often implying oversight.

neglected to perform

Implies a lack of attention or care in completing the task.

didn't make it a priority

Indicates that the task was not considered important enough to complete.

postponed indefinitely

Suggests that the task was delayed without a specific future date for completion.

put off until later

Highlights the act of delaying the task, without specifying the duration.

procrastinated on

Specifically identifies procrastination as the reason for not completing the task.

FAQs

What does "never got around to doing" mean?

It means that someone intended to do something but didn't manage to do it, often because they were too busy or it wasn't a high priority.

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

You can use it to explain why you didn't complete a task, for example: "I meant to reply to your email, but I "never got around to doing" it".

What are some alternatives to "never got around to doing"?

You can use alternatives like "didn't find time to do", "didn't manage to complete", or "left undone" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "never got around to doing"?

Yes, it's a perfectly correct and commonly used phrase in English to express that an intended action was not completed.