was never to vs was not to

Both "was never to" and "was not to" are correct constructions, but they are used in different contexts. "Was never to" is used to emphasize that something did not happen at any point in the past, while "was not to" is used to indicate that something was not supposed to happen according to a plan or expectation.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 902 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize that something did not happen at any point in the past.

"was never to "

This phrase is used to emphasize that a particular event or action did not occur under any circumstances in the past.

Examples:

He was never to return to that place again.
The secret was never to be revealed.
She was never to know the truth.

Show examples from the web [+]

My mother said I was never to bother you.
My intention was never to insult you.
He was never to return from the trip.
His relationship with me was never to be forever.
You said I was never to go there again.
The plan was never to blackmail these people for money.
Well, our goal was never to dictate anything.
It was never to sell Wadiya's oil.
My intention was never to kill you.
Foururadol was never to be mixed... with products containing aspirin...
A truth which was never to be spoken but which now binds us together in dangerous purpose.
All these years, your father only allowed scotch in the house, which was never to my taste, so...
No, I was never to EST.
The idea was never to cancel all debt from the Third World countries because that was totally impracticable.
The first lesson I ever learned was never to wait for a man's rescue.
The one thing my honourable mother taught me long ago was never to get into a car with a strange girl.
Roger was never to be compared with him.
First thing you told me was never to think about a job, Charlie.
To be clear, the Commander's intent was never to take it.
I told her she was never to come back.

Alternatives:

was never meant to
was never supposed to
was never intended to
was never expected to
was never going to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something was not supposed to happen according to a plan or expectation.

"was not to"

This phrase is used to express that an action or event was not intended or allowed to happen according to a specific plan or instruction.

Examples:

He was not to be disturbed during his meeting.
The document was not to be shared with anyone outside the team.
The information was not to be disclosed to the public.

Show examples from the web [+]

It was not to examine the policy of oilseed production in the European Union.
Its goal was not to be a beautiful image that would evoke emotions.
Your job was not to vote against Bohannon.
Perhaps our destiny was not to rule in this life.
My intention was not to kill you.
The reason why the public authorities started massively injecting capital in 2001 was not to rescue the firm but to finance its growth.
Colonel Forster said he feared that Wickham was not to be trusted.
You said at first it was not to contact me.
I gave orders that the lady was not to be harmed.
I told them we had an informer, but that Private Santiago was not to be harmed.
I was not to position of the original inheritance.
Swift was not to be misled by these considerations.
Her aim was not to impress us.
The only alternative option was not to modify the classification.
This was important if enlargement was not to be delayed.
My research says I was not to call you duck.
I thought the intention was not to kill me.
They came for her and I was not to follow.
I understood I was not to be asked that again.
Unfortunately, it was not to focus on the future of your art...

Alternatives:

was not supposed to
was not meant to
was not intended to
was not expected to
was not going to

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was never to vs was not to

"was never to "

"was not to"

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