never say never

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never say never" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is unlikely to happen, although still possible. For example, you can say, "I thought I'd never find love again, but I guess I should never say never."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, never say never.

The Economist

So never say never.

The New Yorker

Never say never, indeed.

The New York Times

"Never say never," Morgenthau said.

The New Yorker

"Never say never," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"But we never say never".

The New Yorker

You can never say never".

The New York Times - Sports

"You never say never, right?

The New York Times - Sports

"Never say never," he says.

Independent

"Never say never," Ohno said.

The New York Times - Sports

Never say never though.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never say never" to express cautious optimism, acknowledging that while something seems unlikely, it is not impossible. It adds a nuanced perspective, suggesting an open mind.

Common error

While "never say never" is a useful idiom, avoid overusing it in your writing or speech. Excessive repetition can make your communication sound cliché and unoriginal. Strive for varied expressions to maintain reader or listener engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never say never" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express possibility, even when the likelihood appears low. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its application in various contexts, reinforcing its role as a phrase indicating an open mind.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never say never" is a versatile and widely used expression to convey possibility even when circumstances suggest otherwise. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across many contexts, with a particularly strong presence in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it adds a cautious and open-minded tone to communication. Remember to use it judiciously, balancing its nuanced meaning with the need for clarity and avoiding over-repetition. Alternatives such as ""anything is possible"" and ""there's always a chance"" offer ways to express similar sentiments while maintaining variety in your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there's always a chance

Highlights the presence of opportunity or probability, however small.

nothing is impossible

Reinforces the idea that all things are achievable, even if difficult.

anything is possible

Emphasizes the potential for unexpected or improbable outcomes.

don't rule it out

Suggests keeping an open mind and not dismissing a possibility completely.

it's not entirely out of the question

Indicates that something is still under consideration or has a chance of happening.

it remains a possibility

Acknowledges that an option is still viable or under consideration.

it could happen

Simply states the potential for an event to occur, regardless of likelihood.

one can't exclude the chance

Formally asserts that dismissing the opportunity would be premature.

within the realm of possibility

Places something within the scope of what can realistically occur.

conceivable

Highlights that something is within the realm of possibility or imagination.

FAQs

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

You can use "never say never" to indicate that something is possible, even if it seems improbable. For example, "I never thought I'd move to another country, but "never say never"".

What does "never say never" actually mean?

The phrase "never say never" means that you should not completely rule something out, as circumstances can change, and unexpected things can happen. It suggests a degree of open-mindedness and acknowledgment of the unpredictable nature of life.

Are there situations where it's better not to use "never say never"?

While "never say never" is generally appropriate, it might not be suitable in contexts where you need to convey absolute certainty or a firm commitment. In such cases, it's better to use definitive statements to avoid ambiguity.

What are some alternative phrases to "never say never"?

You can use alternatives like "anything is possible", "there's always a chance", or "don't rule it out" to express a similar sentiment.