What is never? Pronunciation and usage in English

never means . Learn how to pronounce and use never through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of never

neveradverb

/ˈnɛvə/
Definition & pronunciation of never

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "never" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners!

Here’s a breakdown:

The most common and widely accepted pronunciation is:

  • /nɪvər/

Let's break that down further:

  • nɪ: This is like the "in" in "tin" or the "pin" in "pin." It's a short, quick vowel sound.
  • v: This is the "v" sound – as in "very."
  • ər: This is a very short, unstressed “er” sound, almost like a tiny “uh.” It’s often almost silent.

Here’s how it sounds (using IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet): /ˈnɪvər/

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don’t say "nev-er" like a separate word. This is a very common mistake. It’s a single syllable.
  • Keep it short and quick. Don't elongate the "er" sound.
  • Practice with a recording: Listen to native English speakers pronounce "never" online - YouTube is a great resource. Search for "how to pronounce never."

Resources to listen:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation for you?
  • Give you some more examples of how "never" is used in sentences?

Usage and examples with the word never in English

Let's break down how to use the word "never" in English. It's a tricky word because it's often misused! Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. Basic Meaning & Usage:

  • As an adverb: "Never" means "at no time," "not ever," or "absolutely not." It describes a situation that has never happened.
    • Example: “I never eat fast food.” (I've never had a meal from a fast food restaurant.)
    • Example: “She never forgets a birthday.” (She has never, in her life, forgotten someone's birthday.)

2. Placement – The Key to Correctness

This is where most people stumble. "Never" has a specific placement in a sentence, and it's different than most adverbs.

  • Before the main verb (except for "do"): This is the most common and correct way to use "never."

    • Example: “I never go to the beach in winter.”
    • Example: “He never saw her before.”
    • Important Exception: You can use "never" with "do" to express negation (especially in questions and negatives).
      • Example: “Do you never feel stressed?”
      • Example: “I don’t never like broccoli.” (While grammatically awkward, this is understood.) It's better to say "I never like broccoli."

  • After "be" verbs (is, are, was, were, am, been, being):

    • Example: “She never realizes how much she’s loved.”
    • Example: “They never suspected anything.”

3. Negative Constructions with "Never"

"Never" is often used to create negative statements. However, the construction is a bit sensitive.

  • Correct: “I never thought I would see the day.” (Expressing surprise)

  • Correct: "He never apologizes." (Stating a consistent lack of behavior)

  • Incorrect (and sounds awkward): “I never thought that I would see the day.” (The "that" is redundant and unnecessary.)

4. Common Phrases with "Never":

  • Never mind: (Don't worry about it) – “Never mind, I'll do it.”
  • Never say never: (You should not rule anything out completely) – “Never say never; you might get a promotion.”
  • Never before: (This is the first time) – “I’ve never eaten this kind of food before.”
  • Never again: (Something will not happen again) – “I’ll never do that again.”

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Putting "never" after the main verb: This is almost always incorrect. For example, saying “I never go to the beach” sounds strange. You should say “I never go to the beach.”
  • Overusing "never": Using "never" excessively can make your speech sound dramatic or unusual. Consider if there's a more natural way to express the idea.

Here's a quick recap table:

Placement Example Correct?
Before Verb I never go to the movies. Yes
Before "do" Do you never want to go out? Yes
After "be" He never believes me. Yes
Incorrect I never go to the movies. No

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you struggling with when using “never”? (e.g., placement, understanding the nuances, forming sentences?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're unsure about?

Synonyms for the word never

Idioms of the word never

never say never
used to say that nothing is impossible
  • Many thought the book could not become a movie, but with Hollywood never say never.
on the never-never
(old-fashioned, British English, informal)on hire purchase (= by making payments over a long period)
  • to buy a new car on the never-never
Well, I never (did)!
(old-fashioned)used to express surprise or disapproval
  • Well, I never! Fancy getting married and not telling us!

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