Cool MateNever vs When pigs fly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Never
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
When pigs fly
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: NeverMost common: Never
| Never | When pigs fly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɛn pɪɡz flaɪ//🇺🇸 //wɛn pɪɡz flaɪ// |
| Meaning | Not ever; at no time. | Something that will never happen. |
| Example | I never eat breakfast in the morning. | I'll believe she'll clean her room when pigs fly. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | never again, never before, never going to | believe it when pigs fly, expect it when pigs fly, do it when pigs fly, see it when pigs fly |
| 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. | Used in serious contexts where a straightforward answer is needed., Misunderstood as a literal phrase rather than an idiom., Incorrectly interpreted as hopeful rather than negative. |
| 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. | Used to express that something is impossible or very unlikely. More appropriate in casual conversation than in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Never vs When pigs fly
What's the difference between Never and When pigs fly?
Never: Not ever; at no time. When pigs fly: Something that will never happen.
Which is more formal: Never and When pigs fly?
Never is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Never and When pigs fly?
Never is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Never: I never eat breakfast in the morning. When pigs fly: I'll believe she'll clean her room when pigs fly.
Can I use Never and When pigs fly interchangeably?
Not always. Never and When pigs fly 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.