never seen this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'never seen this' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express surprise or disbelief at something new or unexpected. For example, "I've been travelling in this region for years and I've never seen this kind of plant before!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We've never seen this happen".

The New York Times

I have never seen this.

The New York Times - Sports

"I had never seen this.

The New York Times

I've never seen this mentioned.

The New York Times

I've never seen this room before".

The New Yorker

I had never seen this pot before.

The New Yorker

"We have never seen this before.

The New York Times

I had never seen this car before.

The New Yorker

(I had never seen this movement before).

The New Yorker

I have never seen this Elvis suit.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We never see this money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never seen this" to express surprise or disbelief when encountering something new or unexpected. It's particularly effective in personal anecdotes or informal reports.

Common error

Avoid using "never seen this" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your expressions of surprise or novelty with synonyms like "unprecedented" or "unique" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never seen this" functions as an exclamation or assertion of unfamiliarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses surprise or disbelief when encountering something new. Examples show it used in diverse situations, from describing a unique landscape to unexpected behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Never seen this" is a common phrase used to express surprise or unfamiliarity, particularly in response to something new or unexpected. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to highlight personal experiences and unusual observations. When using the phrase, bear in mind the register and audience to ensure appropriate communication, and consider synonymous expressions to avoid overuse. Its frequent presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its common usage in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This is unlike anything I've seen

Emphasizes the distinctiveness compared to prior experiences.

I've never encountered anything like this before

More formal and emphasizes the uniqueness of the experience.

I've yet to see something like this

A slightly more emphatic way of expressing that something is new and surprising.

I haven't witnessed this before

More formal; emphasizes the act of observing something.

I've not come across this previously

A more formal and passive construction indicating unfamiliarity.

This is unprecedented in my experience

Highly formal, implies a lack of prior parallels.

This is new to me

Simple and direct expression of unfamiliarity.

This is a first for me

Informal, direct statement of novelty.

I'm not familiar with this

Less emphatic, focuses on a lack of prior knowledge.

I'm unaccustomed to this

Focuses on a lack of habituation or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "never seen this" in a sentence?

You can use "never seen this" to express surprise or disbelief, as in "I've travelled extensively, but I've "never seen this" kind of landscape before".

What are some alternatives to "never seen this"?

Alternatives include expressions like "this is unprecedented", "this is a first for me", or "this is unlike anything I've seen", depending on the formality and context.

Is "never seen this" grammatically correct?

Yes, "never seen this" is grammatically correct, particularly in informal contexts or dialogue, where sentence fragments are common and accepted.

What's the difference between "never seen this" and "haven't seen this before"?

"Never seen this" is a more concise and informal version of "haven't seen this before". While both express unfamiliarity, "haven't seen this before" is slightly more formal and complete.