never having been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'never having been' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something has not happened in the past. For example: He had never been to France before his vacation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That and my never having been asked.

The New York Times - Magazine

She talked about never having been in love.

The New York Times - Magazine

Britain, never having been under Nazi occupation, was less vexed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Never having been, maybe that was the secret.

The Guardian - Books

His mother is terribly proud, never having been published before.

The New Yorker

Kirk: It had the virtue of never having been tried.

The Guardian

Their record of never having been knocked out by English opposition is still under threat.

Independent

But never having been tested, such a Frankenbomb could prove unreliable.

The Economist

She examines the methodology and morality of intervention in Bosnia, never having been near Srebrenica.

The New York Times - Books

Despite never having been to Cuba, I felt transported, utterly under its spell.

The Guardian - Books

Never having been defined as a great beauty makes that easier".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "never having been", ensure the sentence maintains a clear subject. Avoid dangling participles for clarity.

Common error

Avoid placing "never having been" too far from the subject it modifies. This can lead to confusion about what or who the phrase refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never having been" functions as a participial phrase, specifically a perfect gerund phrase acting as an adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun by describing a state of inexperience or absence of a prior condition, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never having been" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express a lack of prior experience or a state that has not previously existed. Ludwig confirms its proper usage and widespread application. It functions as a participial phrase, providing context and background information. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, ensure clarity by avoiding misplaced modifiers. Consider alternatives like "not having been" or "without ever being" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. With a strong presence in News & Media and Science, "never having been" is a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having never experienced

Focuses on the lack of direct experience, altering the sentence structure.

without ever having been

Adds emphasis on the absence of prior existence or state.

not having been

A more direct and concise negation of a past state or event.

without having the opportunity to be

Highlights the absence of a chance or possibility.

lacking the experience of

Emphasizes a deficiency in prior exposure or involvement.

not yet having been

Indicates something is expected in the future but hasn't happened up to now.

being a stranger to

Implies unfamiliarity due to a lack of prior interaction or exposure.

remaining untouched by

Suggests something has not been affected or influenced by a particular thing.

unacquainted with

Conveys a lack of familiarity or knowledge about something.

not knowing

This is the simplest alternative. It changes the structure more drastically.

FAQs

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

You can use "never having been" to describe a lack of experience or a state that has not occurred. For example, "Never having been to Europe, she was excited about her trip."

What's a simpler way to say "never having been"?

Alternatives include "not having been" or "without ever being", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "never been" instead of "never having been"?

Yes, "never been" is a common and often more concise way to express the same idea, particularly in informal contexts. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

What's the difference between "never having been" and "having never been"?

Both phrases convey the same meaning, but the placement can affect sentence flow. "Never having been" often starts a clause, while "having never been" typically appears mid-sentence.