were never used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were never used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not utilized or applied at any point in time. Example: "The old tools were never used, as the new equipment was more efficient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But they were never used.

The New Yorker

Most of them were never used.

The New Yorker

They were never used in actual warfare.

The New York Times

"They replicated functional objects but were never used".

The New York Times - Arts

Therefore, the companies were never used for anything at all.

The Guardian

Which of the five colors of risk were never used?

The New York Times

Mr. Morton said the shoddy computer parts were never used.

The New York Times

Their Social Security numbers were never used again.

The New York Times

Such devices were never used, and both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

The New York Times

Though the exact words were never used, the message was clear: Mr. Scranton is a weirdo!

The New York Times

Those tapes were never used in the trial because it was obvious they were not admissible.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the ineffectiveness of a strategy or resource, use "were never used" to clearly state its lack of application. This adds emphasis to the failure or obsolescence of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "was never used" when referring to multiple items. The plural form "were" is essential when the subject is plural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were never used" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that something was not utilized at any point. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were never used" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive construction that clearly communicates the non-utilization of something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to emphasize that an object, strategy, or resource remained untouched, often implying a missed opportunity or unrealized potential. When using this phrase, ensure correct tense agreement and consider alternatives like "remained unused" or "were not utilized" for subtle variations in meaning. Be mindful of the implications and potential assumptions carried by this declarative expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not put to use

Emphasizes the intention or opportunity for use that was not realized.

were not utilized

A more formal synonym, emphasizing the lack of application.

were not employed

Similar to 'not utilized', but can also imply a lack of engagement or service.

remained unused

Focuses on the state of being unused rather than the action of never using.

were not implemented

Focuses on the lack of putting something into effect or practice.

went unapplied

Highlights the absence of application or implementation.

were not actioned

Highlights the absence of action or implementation.

were left untouched

Suggests a complete absence of interaction or use.

were bypassed

Suggests something was intentionally skipped or avoided.

were disregarded

Indicates that something was ignored or not given attention, leading to its non-use.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were never used" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "remained unused", "were not utilized", or "went unapplied" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was never used" instead of "were never used"?

"Was never used" is only correct when referring to a singular subject. For plural subjects, "were never used" is the grammatically correct form.

What is the difference between "were never used" and "were seldom used"?

"Were never used" indicates that something was not used at any point, while "were seldom used" suggests infrequent or rare usage.

Can "were never used" imply a negative outcome or failure?

Yes, often "were never used" implies that something was intended to be used but wasn't, potentially resulting in a missed opportunity or a failure to achieve a specific outcome.