something never seen before

USAGE SUMMARY

"something never seen before" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something new, unique, or surprising. For example: "She unveiled a new invention that was something never seen before - a robot that can dance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The virus is spreading, uncontrolled, in widening chains of infection, which include cities — something never seen before.

The New Yorker

While it had already been computerized, "what we have is something never seen before all in one place".

The New York Times

The experimental vaccine protected only nine of them, but it also did something never seen before: these monkeys slowly "cleared" the virus and now appear to be cured.

The New York Times - Science

They shoot into bright lights, they shoot into the dark and against low ceilings, till every scene comes with the impact of something never seen before.

The New Yorker

The Prime Minister, who cut short a visit to Colombia, said that the "macabre" beheading of Mr Cornara, with its "theatrical arrangement of flags" was "something never seen before in France", and was intended to "excite a strong reaction".

Independent

On the other hand, a real collector — the sort Laroche has come to be and to know — would find them irresistible if he or she were trying to amass a comprehensive collection; they could also be crossbred with greenhouse plants to create something never seen before.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It's something I've never seen before," said the Norwegian skier Aksel Lund Svindal.

The New York Times - Sports

"Senior citizens occupying a house is something we've never seen before," he said.

The Guardian

"Finally I said, give me six months and I'll create something for you never seen before," Mr. Kuba said.

The New York Times

I had something I had never seen before!

Science Magazine

"Well, maybe you'll see something you've never seen before," she said when we corrected her.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly establishes why the subject is indeed novel. Adding specifics or comparisons can strengthen the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "something never seen before" for ordinary or slightly unusual occurrences. Reserve it for truly remarkable or unprecedented situations to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something never seen before" typically functions as a predicate nominative or adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It serves to emphasize the uniqueness or novelty of the subject, as affirmed by Ludwig, which highlights its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something never seen before" is a common phrase used to emphasize the unique and unprecedented nature of an event, object, or phenomenon. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the novelty of the subject matter to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "unprecedented phenomenon" or "first of its kind" for nuanced expression. Overall, this phrase is a powerful tool for highlighting groundbreaking moments and remarkable occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first of its kind

Highlights that it is the initial instance within a category.

unprecedented phenomenon

Replaces "something" with a more formal noun and emphasizes the event's unique occurrence.

previously unknown

Stresses the aspect of being unknown up until that point.

novel occurrence

Uses "novel" to highlight the new and unusual nature of the event.

unparalleled event

Indicates there is nothing equivalent or comparable.

unique spectacle

Focuses on the visual aspect and its distinctiveness.

entirely new experience

Highlights the newness of the sensation or event.

groundbreaking innovation

Highlights the innovative and pioneering aspect of something.

original creation

Emphasizes the act of creation and its unique origin.

a sight to behold

This emphasizes the impressive nature of what is being seen.

FAQs

How can I use "something never seen before" in a sentence?

You can use "something never seen before" to describe anything that is unprecedented or groundbreaking. For example: "The artist's latest exhibition featured techniques that were "something never seen before" in the art world."

What is a good alternative to "something never seen before"?

Alternatives include "unprecedented phenomenon", "novel occurrence", or "first of its kind", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "something never seen before" formal or informal?

"Something never seen before" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, as its suitability depends more on the subject matter than the setting.

What makes something qualify as "something never seen before"?

For something to qualify as "something never seen before", it should genuinely represent a new or unique occurrence, innovation, or spectacle that has not been previously witnessed or experienced. Consider "unparalleled event".