would never happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'would never happen' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about something that is impossible or very unlikely. For example, 'Winning the lottery twice in a row would never happen.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would never happen here".

The New Yorker

"That would never happen now".

The New York Times

That what would never happen?

Princeton University

"It would never happen.

The Washington Post

And it would never happen here.

The New York Times

A mutiny would never happen in Pakistan.

The New Yorker

Lawmakers grumbled that it would never happen.

The New York Times

"That would never happen now," Kelly said.

The New Yorker

It would never happen, they said.

The Guardian - Opinion

This would never happen in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

He said the change would never happen.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone: "would never happen" can sometimes sound dismissive or overly confident. Adjust your language to avoid unintended negative connotations.

Common error

While "would never happen" is widely understood, it can occasionally sound informal or conversational. In highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "is highly improbable" or "is not a plausible outcome" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would never happen" functions as a modal expression of impossibility or strong improbability. It combines the conditional modal verb 'would' with the negative adverb 'never' and the verb 'happen' to convey a high degree of certainty that something will not occur. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would never happen" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey a strong sense of impossibility or extreme improbability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and effective way to express disbelief or certainty about an event not occurring. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, although also appears in academia and formal business settings. While its overall tone is neutral, it is advisable to be mindful of overuse in highly formal writing, where alternatives may be preferred. Remember to use it to express your firm beliefs about the unlikelihood of something, but consider the impact your conviction can have in your conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not going to happen

This alternative uses a more direct and less conditional tone compared to the original phrase.

is out of the question

This conveys a stronger sense of denial and impossibility.

there's no chance of that

This expresses a lack of possibility with an informal tone.

that's not a possibility

This alternative directly states the lack of possibility.

it's highly improbable

This uses more formal language to suggest a low likelihood.

it's not in the cards

This employs an idiomatic expression to indicate a lack of fate or destiny in an event occurring.

it's just not feasible

This focuses on the impracticality or unachievability of something.

that's a pipe dream

This uses an idiomatic expression to convey an unrealistic or fanciful hope.

it defies all possibility

This alternative emphasizes a complete lack of likelihood.

it's against all odds

This phrase underscores the improbability due to unfavorable conditions or circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "would never happen" in a sentence?

You can use "would never happen" to express disbelief or certainty that an event will not occur. For example, "I thought that "would never happen" to me."

What does "would never happen" mean?

"Would never happen" indicates a firm belief that something is impossible or highly improbable.

What are some alternative phrases to "would never happen"?

Some alternatives include "is not going to happen", "is out of the question", or "there's no chance of that", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "would never happen"?

Yes, "would never happen" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.