never obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not acquired or achieved at any point in time. Example: "Despite numerous attempts, the necessary permits were never obtained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was never obtained.

The Guardian

But he never obtained enough compensation.

The New York Times

But the senator never obtained supreme authority.

The Economist

Q. NASA never obtained additional photographs of Columbia's damaged area.

The New York Times - Science

But, she said, "we never obtained a single pregnancy".

The New York Times - Science

The result exhibits a resolution never obtained before.

Remote Sensing of Environment

Half were given prey on every trip, while the others never obtained prey.

The New York Times - Science

A special prosecutor's office was created; it never obtained a conviction.

The New York Times

I've never obtained a divorce, but I want one, and I want to marry this fellow.

The New Yorker

The defendants never had contact with actual terrorists, never obtained weapons or explosives.

The New York Times - Magazine

Because they had never obtained it, the human research office shut the study down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "never obtained", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not acquired and why it is significant. For instance, specify the document, permission, or skill that was not obtained and the consequences of this lack.

Common error

Avoid using "never obtained" in situations where something was attempted but failed; instead, use "failed to obtain" or "did not succeed in obtaining". "Never obtained" implies no attempt was made or that there was no possibility of acquisition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never obtained" functions as a past participle phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something was not acquired, received, or achieved at any point in the past, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "never obtained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a lack of acquisition or attainment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability across various registers. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, "never obtained" effectively communicates that something was not acquired at any point. When using this phrase, be mindful of the specific context and consider alternatives like "did not acquire" or "failed to secure" for nuanced meaning. Avoid confusing it with "failed to obtain", which implies an attempt was made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not acquire

Focuses on the lack of acquisition, using a more formal verb.

failed to secure

Emphasizes the failure to successfully secure something.

did not receive

Highlights the lack of receipt, implying it was expected or desired.

was unable to get

Indicates an inability to obtain something, focusing on the effort involved.

did not attain

Emphasizes the lack of reaching a specific goal or level.

never came into possession of

A more verbose way of saying something was never owned.

was denied

Highlights that permission/access was refused.

missed out on

Suggests that an opportunity to obtain something was lost.

proved unobtainable

Emphasizes the impossibility of getting it.

remained unachieved

Highlights that a goal was not reached.

FAQs

How to use "never obtained" in a sentence?

Use "never obtained" to indicate that something was not acquired or achieved at any point in time. For example: "Despite numerous attempts, the necessary permits were "never obtained"."

What can I say instead of "never obtained"?

You can use alternatives like "did not acquire", "failed to secure", or "did not receive" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "never obtained" or "failed to obtain"?

Both "never obtained" and "failed to obtain" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Never obtained" means something was not acquired at any point, while "failed to obtain" implies an attempt was made but was unsuccessful.

What's the difference between "never obtained" and "not obtained"?

"Never obtained" emphasizes that something was not acquired at any point in the past and suggests a continuous state of non-acquisition. "Not obtained" is a more general statement that something was not acquired, without necessarily implying a prolonged period.