Common Grammar Mistakes: Correcting the Placement of "Never"

The Mistake:

One of the common mistakes in English grammar is the incorrect placement of the word "never." Many learners and non-native speakers tend to place "never" between the auxiliary verb and the main verb in a sentence.

The Correct Usage:

The correct placement of "never" in a sentence is before the auxiliary verb or after the subject and before the main verb.

Incorrect: I never have been to Paris.
Correct: I have never been to Paris.

Why is this mistake made?

This mistake is often made because learners try to directly translate from their native language, where the word order may be different.

For example, in many Romance languages like Spanish or Italian, the word "never" (nunca in Spanish) is placed after the verb: No he ido nunca a París. This can lead to confusion when constructing English sentences.

Preferences of Native Speakers:

Although both forms are grammatically correct, the preferred word order among native English speakers is to place "never" before the auxiliary verb.

For instance, the sentence "I have never been to Paris" is more commonly used and sounds more natural to native speakers than "I never have been to Paris."

An Easy Solution:

If you're unsure about the placement of "never," it is usually safe to follow the preferred word order of native speakers and place it before the auxiliary verb.

Linguix grammar checker can help you identify and correct such mistakes so that you can write confidently and accurately.