never

Everyday

1. Never means not at any time, not even once. tree →
2. Never can also mean «not» in a strong way: «Never mind» means do not worry about it. tree →
3. «Never ever» is a strong way to say never. tree →
4. (casual, UK, Ireland) «Never!» or «you never!» means I can't believe it: «He ate 12? Never!» tree →
5. (casual, UK) «I never» often means simply «I didn't» about one time: «I never touched it!» tree →
6. (rough) «Never in a million years» and «not never» (broken grammar) mean a strong no: «I ain't never doing that.» tree →
7. (formal) «At no time», «on no occasion» and «under no circumstances» are the stiff forms: «Under no circumstances may the door be left open.» tree →

In the lessons

In maths: a word of the story; tells that something did not happen, so that amount is zero. In everyday life: rules and safety («never touch a hot stove», «never talk to strangers online»); habits and promises. In science: «never» is a strong claim that one counter-example can prove wrong. In stories: «Never had she seen such a big cake», «Never again!»; «never mind», «better late than never». In casual talk it is surprise or denial. In the exam voice: «at no time did…». Phrases: «never mind», «never again», «never ever», «now or never», «never say never».

Examples

• She never eats the red candies. tree →
• He never misses a day of practice. tree →
• Tom never spends his coins. tree →
• Never cross the road without looking both ways. tree →
• I have never been on a plane. tree →
• Never mind, we can try again tomorrow. tree →
• A square never has five sides. tree →
• Better late than never! tree →
• «She got 20 out of 20.» «Never! Seriously?» (casual) tree →
• I never took your crisps, ask him (casual, means «I didn't») tree →
• Never in a million years, mate — sod off. (rough) tree →
• At no time did the number of passengers exceed 40; state the maximum possible number. (formal exam) tree →

Note

«Never» means zero times; that amount stays the same. Trap: if he never eats the red ones, the red ones are not taken away. Opposite: always. Do not use another «not» with it: say «I never saw it», not «I never didn't see it»; «ain't never» is rough broken grammar. Casual «Never!» is surprise, not a number. Casual «I never did it» means «I did not do it» once, not «at no time ever». In science, be careful with «never»: one example the other way proves the claim wrong. Formal «at no time» = never; «did not exceed» means it was that number or less.

In Jewish tradition

In the JPS Torah, "never so much" is old English for "however much". In the primary lessons: In maths: a word of the story; tells that something did not happen, so that amount is zero. In everyday life: rules and safety («never touch a hot stove», «never talk to strangers online»); habits and promises. In science: «never» is a strong claim that one counter-example can prove wrong. In stories: «Never had she seen such a big cake», «Never again!»; «never mind», «better late than never». In casual talk it is surprise or denial. In the exam voice: «at no time did…». Phrases: «never mind», «never again», «never ever», «now or never», «never say never».

Examples

• Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me; but give me the damsel to wife.' (Torah GEN.34.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favoured and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness. (Torah GEN.41.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command thee, saying: 'Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy poor and needy brother, in thy land.' (Torah DEU.15.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Writings PSA.15.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now I had said in my security: 'I shall never be moved.' (Writings PSA.30.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good. (Writings JOB.21.25, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Never» means zero times; that amount stays the same. Trap: if he never eats the red ones, the red ones are not taken away. Opposite: always. Do not use another «not» with it: say «I never saw it», not «I never didn't see it»; «ain't never» is rough broken grammar. Casual «Never!» is surprise, not a number. Casual «I never did it» means «I did not do it» once, not «at no time ever». In science, be careful with «never»: one example the other way proves the claim wrong. Formal «at no time» = never; «did not exceed» means it was that number or less.