not seen before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not seen before" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "I saw a beautiful butterfly, unlike any I had not seen before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That was something we have not seen before," Romstad said in a telephone interview Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's something happening within the airline industry that we simply have not seen before," he said.

The New York Times

"He had a particular interest that I had not seen before," Fehr said.

The New York Times - Sports

"He does this thing in meetings that I have not seen before," the coach said.

Los Angeles Times

"There is a level of intensity here that I've not seen before," said park Supt.

Los Angeles Times

But it's nothing we've not seen before.

Independent

This, I have not seen before.

The New York Times - Health

"We're moving in a way we've not seen before".

The New York Times

We see things we have not seen before.

The New York Times - Arts

There is not much he has not seen before.

The Guardian - Sport

'We'll do things that people have not seen before.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not seen before" to highlight something truly unique or innovative, rather than simply something uncommon. Ensure the context supports the claim of novelty.

Common error

Avoid using "not seen before" when describing something that is only slightly different or a minor variation of an existing concept. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not seen before" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is novel or unique. Ludwig shows many examples across diverse fields where this phrase adds emphasis to the newness of an observation or creation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not seen before" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the novelty or uniqueness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for use across various registers, from news and media to scientific discourse. While "not seen before" is acceptable in many contexts, remember to use it judiciously to maintain its impact and avoid overstating the originality of a subject. Consider alternatives like "unprecedented" or "novel" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unprecedented

Emphasizes that something has never happened or existed before.

novel

Highlights the newness and originality of something.

groundbreaking

Suggests something is innovative and sets a new standard.

original

Focuses on the unique and inventive nature of something.

innovative

Emphasizes the use of new ideas or methods.

unheard of

Highlights the unexpected or surprising nature of something.

unique

Focuses on the distinct and unparalleled quality of something.

first of its kind

Emphasizes that something is the initial example of its type.

without precedent

Similar to "unprecedented", stressing the lack of prior instances.

fresh

Implies something is new and invigorating.

FAQs

How can I use "not seen before" in a sentence?

You can use "not seen before" to describe something unique or innovative, for example: "The artist's technique produced results "not seen before" in contemporary art".

What are some alternatives to "not seen before"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "unprecedented", "novel", or "groundbreaking" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "never seen before" or "not seen before"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Never seen before" emphasizes that something has literally never been witnessed, while "not seen before" implies that it is new or unique to a particular context or observer.

What's the difference between "unprecedented" and "not seen before"?

"Unprecedented" focuses on the lack of any prior occurrence, while "not seen before" highlights a personal or contextual experience of novelty. For example, an event can be "unprecedented" globally, but something can be "not seen before" in a specific region.