Cool MateNever vs We're not gonna do that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Never
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
We're not gonna do that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: NeverMost common: Never
| Never | We're not gonna do that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɪə nɒt ˈɡənə duː ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɪr nɑt ˈɡɑnə du ðæt// |
| Meaning | Not ever; at no time. | We will not do that. |
| Example | I never eat breakfast in the morning. | We're not gonna do that if it takes too long. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | never again, never before, never going to | gonna do, not gonna happen, we're not gonna go, not gonna make it, not gonna change |
| Antonyms | always, forever | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'never' with positive verbs (e.g., 'I never eat breakfast' is correct, 'I never eat' is incorrect if breakfast is intended)., Confusing 'never' with 'ever' in questions., Using 'never' instead of 'not' in negation. | Using 'gonna' in formal writing., 'Not gonna' can be seen as rude if said aggressively. |
| Usage notes | Use 'never' to describe things that do not happen at all. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts but avoid using it in a positive statement. | Use in casual conversations to express refusal or disagreement. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Never vs We're not gonna do that
What's the difference between Never and We're not gonna do that?
Never: Not ever; at no time. We're not gonna do that: We will not do that.
Which is more formal: Never and We're not gonna do that?
Never is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Never and We're not gonna do that?
Never is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Never: I never eat breakfast in the morning. We're not gonna do that: We're not gonna do that if it takes too long.
Can I use Never and We're not gonna do that interchangeably?
Not always. Never and We're not gonna do that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.