were never employed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were never employed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone was not hired or did not hold a job at any point in time. Example: "Despite his qualifications, he was never employed in the field he studied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Like the Yeti and the Quarks, they were never employed again on the programme.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Call-back rates and scheduled meetings positively correlate with work capacity: Individuals who were never employed, as well as older individuals, react less frequently.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

While SEATO military forces held joint military training, they were never employed because of internal disagreements.

Wikipedia

Several English units such as the highlander were never employed by the English.

Wikipedia

"The President supported the declassification of the Summary, Findings, and Conclusions of the Senate's report on detention and interrogation, with appropriate redactions for national security, in part to ensure certain practices were never employed again," Price said.

Huffington Post

In a recent update to the LinkedIn post, Leonares clarified his firm's role, writing that both Alex and Abbie, the girl who posted the photo, "were never employed by Breakr".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Unlike most officials in the ILGWU, Umhey was never employed as a garment maker.

Cornell University

He also wrote opinion columns for FoxNews.com, although he was never employed by the network.

The Washington Post

A system where a young doctor successfully takes her assailant to court and is never employed by that system again.

The Guardian

He told the home affairs select committee: "Mr Wallis was never employed to be my personal assistant or to provide personal advice to me..

The Guardian

Herein, the photocatalytic degradation of Diazinon under visible light was accomplished using TiO2/Fe2O3 nanocomposite, which has been never employed for diazinon degradation.

Separation and Purification Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were never employed", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it refers to a specific period or their entire life. For example, specify "were never employed in the tech industry" if relevant.

Common error

Avoid assuming "were never employed" implies a lack of skills or qualifications. The phrase only indicates a lack of employment history, not necessarily competence or suitability for a job.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were never employed" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating a state of not having been employed at any point. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is considered correct and usable in written English. It's used to describe a person or group of people who have not held a job or been formally employed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were never employed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to describe individuals without prior work experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. It's prevalent across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge sources. When utilizing this phrase, it's crucial to consider the context and potential implications, aiming for clear and neutral communication. Considering semantically similar alternative wordings such as "had no employment history", "never held a job", or "lacked prior employment" can help diversify your writing while retaining accuracy and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never held a job

A more direct and simpler way of saying "were never employed".

had no employment history

Focuses on the absence of prior work experience.

never gained employment

Focuses on the failure to secure a job.

remained jobless

Emphasizes the continuous state of being without a job.

lacked prior employment

Highlights the deficiency of having previous work.

had no work experience

Broader term referring to any form of paid labor.

have always been unemployed

Emphasizes that the state of unemployment has been continuous.

were perpetually unemployed

Highlights a constant state of unemployment.

have not been in employment

Formal restatement with slight change in structure.

never had a career

Suggests a lack of long-term professional development.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were never employed" to sound more formal?

You can use alternatives such as "had no prior employment", "lacked employment history", or "have not been in employment". These options offer a more professional tone for formal writing.

What's the difference between "were never employed" and "were unemployed"?

"Were never employed" indicates that someone has never held a job before, while "were unemployed" means they previously had a job but are currently without one. You can consider using alternatives like "remained jobless" for a continuous status.

Is it appropriate to use "were never employed" in a job application?

It's generally best to avoid stating "were never employed" directly in a job application. Instead, focus on transferable skills, education, or volunteer experiences that demonstrate your capabilities and potential value to the employer.

What are some neutral ways to describe someone who "were never employed"?

You could say they "had no previous work experience", "were new to the workforce", or "were seeking their first employment opportunity". These phrases are less judgmental and more focused on the individual's current situation.