never

Not at any time or on any occasion.

• I never eat meat.
• She has never seen snow.
• We will never forget your kindness.

How to use it: never + verb (I never drink coffee.); have/has never + past participle (She has never flown before.)

Similar words: not ever

Opposites: always

Common phrases: never again, never before, never forget

Used to say an action did not happen on a particular past occasion.

• I never said that!
• She never paid for the meal yesterday.
• You promised to call last night, but you never did.

How to use it: never + past tense verb (He never called yesterday, though he promised to.)

Common phrases: never did, never said, never received

Used to strongly refuse something or express disbelief.

• “Give up!” “Never!”
• “Will you betray her?” “Never!”
• “I won a car!” “Never! Really?”

Similar words: no way

Common phrases: never ever, never again