there has never been

USAGE SUMMARY

"there has never been" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as an introductory clause, to provide context or a starting point for a sentence or story. Example: "There has never been a president like Donald Trump."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That in capital cases there has never been an error?

The New Yorker

"Shutting down any servers there has never been easy".

BBC

There has never been a famous Estonian.

The New Yorker

And there has never been oversight.

The New York Times

There has never been a proposed I.P.O.

The New York Times

"There has never been any trouble before".

Independent

There has never been a "BSA Triumph".

The Economist

There has never been any investigation".

The New Yorker

There has never been any such evidence.

The New York Times

There has never been a clear answer.

The New York Times

There has never been anything formal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there has never been", ensure that your claim is accurate and supportable. Avoid exaggeration or hyperbole unless appropriate for the context.

Common error

Avoid using "there has never been" for situations that are merely uncommon or rare, instead of truly unprecedented. This can weaken your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there has never been" functions as an emphatic assertion of absence or uniqueness. It sets the stage for highlighting something unprecedented or non-existent, drawing attention to its distinct nature. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there has never been" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the absence of something in the past or to highlight the uniqueness of a present event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile, appearing across numerous reliable sources, including news outlets, academic papers, and general media. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a broad audience, serving to add emphasis and weight to a statement by highlighting its unprecedented nature. Remember to ensure accuracy and avoid exaggeration to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there hasn't been before

Focuses on the absence of something up to the present moment, similar to the original phrase.

it's unprecedented

Highlights the novelty and lack of precedent for a particular event or situation.

nothing like it has happened

Emphasizes the uniqueness by stating that no similar event has occurred.

this is the first time

Indicates that an event or situation is occurring for the very first time.

it's a novelty

Stresses the newness and originality of something.

such a thing never existed

Highlights the absence of something in the past.

it's a groundbreaking event

Focuses on the innovative and pioneering nature of the situation.

never before seen

Emphasizes the visual novelty of an event or object.

it's an original occurrence

Highlights the singularity and non-derivative nature of an event.

it stands alone in history

Emphasizes the historical uniqueness and lack of comparable events.

FAQs

How can I use "there has never been" in a sentence?

You can use "there has never been" to emphasize the absence of something in the past or to highlight the uniqueness of a current event. For example, "There has never been a time like this in history."

What are some alternatives to "there has never been"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it's unprecedented", "nothing like it has happened", or "this is the first time", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "there have never been" instead of "there has never been"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "there has never been" with singular nouns, and "there have never been" with plural nouns. For example, "There has never been a better time" vs. "There have never been so many opportunities."

What is the difference between "there has never been" and "there was never"?

"There has never been" refers to a continuing state from the past to the present, while "there was never" refers to a specific point or period in the past. For example, "There has never been a documented case" implies no case exists now, while "There was never a case" refers to a specific past time.