never having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never having" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a past event or experience that has never occurred or been experienced by someone. Example: "After years of traveling the world, I regretted never having visited the Grand Canyon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Never having a stable home.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm never having a child.

The New York Times

Mr. Driver regrets never having gone overseas.

The New York Times

That and my never having been asked.

The New York Times - Magazine

As opposed to never having existed".

The New Yorker

I was afraid of never having lived.

The New York Times - Style

LOVE MEANS NEVER having to get dressed alone.

The New York Times

In that same interview, Braden acknowledged never having met Rodriguez.

The New York Times

Never having married, he died without legitimate heirs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He left after one season, never having completely bought in.

The New Yorker

"Reincarnation means never having to say you're dead," he wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "never having", ensure the subsequent verb form is correct (usually a past participle) to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense directly after "never having". For example, instead of "never having saw", use "never having seen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never having" functions as a gerund phrase, often introducing a clause that describes a state or action that has not occurred. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to indicate the absence of a prior experience or state. It modifies the main clause by providing background information or context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "never having" functions as a gerund phrase used to express the absence of a past experience or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific writing. Its function is to provide context and express a lack of something. While generally neutral in register, it is crucial to ensure correct tense usage following the phrase. Related phrases, such as "without ever experiencing" or "having not yet encountered", offer alternatives for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without ever experiencing

Emphasizes the absence of a particular experience throughout one's life.

lacking any prior

Highlights the complete absence of something before the present moment.

not previously possessing

Focuses on the absence of ownership or control in the past.

having not yet encountered

Implies that an encounter is still possible but hasn't happened so far.

remaining without

Suggests a state of deficiency or absence that continues to persist.

at no point possessing

Stresses the absence of possession at any time in the past.

devoid of past experience

Emphasizes a lack of background or familiarity with something.

not ever being in

Focuses on the absence of a particular state or condition at any point.

without the benefit of

Highlights the disadvantage of lacking something that would be helpful.

never before enjoying

Focuses on the lack of past pleasure or satisfaction from something.

FAQs

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

You can use "never having" to describe the absence of a past experience. For instance, "Despite traveling extensively, I regretted "never having" visited the Grand Canyon."

What are some alternatives to "never having"?

Alternatives include phrases like "without ever experiencing", "lacking any prior", or "having not yet encountered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "never having did" instead of "never having done"?

No, the correct form is "never having done". The auxiliary verb 'have' requires the past participle form of the main verb, so it should be "done" and not "did".

What is the difference between "not having" and "never having"?

"Never having" emphasizes that something has not occurred at any point in the past, while "not having" simply indicates the absence of something without necessarily implying it has never existed.