never born

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Used to say that someone has not yet been born or will never exist; often in expressions of regret or fate.

   Grammar: Often used after 'was' or 'were' to describe a state: 'I wish I had never been born.'

   Patterns

   • be never born
   • wish one had never been born

   In the story, the ghost was a child who was never born.

   She said she sometimes wished she had never been born.

   The philosopher argued that a world where suffering exists would be better if some people were never born.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Not yet brought into existence; used of ideas, projects, or children that did not come to be.

   Grammar: Can describe plans or ideas that were abandoned before starting: 'The project was never born.'

   Patterns

   • something was never born
   • a never-born idea

   The novel remained never born; he only had notes.

   The plan for a new park was never born because of lack of funds.

Common combinations

wish one had never been born

He was so miserable that he wished he had never been born.

never born into this world

The child was never born into this world, but his memory lived on.

better if never born

Some people say it would be better if certain diseases were never born.

Synonyms and how they differ

unborn

Unborn describes a baby not yet born; never born suggests it will never be born or was not born at all.

nonexistent

Nonexistent is more general and does not carry the emotional or philosophical weight of never born.

Word family

born adjective

Having come into life; the opposite of never born in many contexts.

Commonly confused: never born or stillborn?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “never born”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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