never tuned up

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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tamguatlay
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never tuned up

Post by tamguatlay »

Early last week, my friend John promised to visit me on Friday, but he never showed up.”

Should it be “…but he didn’t show up.” instead, because it is only one occasion that he did not show up? To me "never” implies forever never turning up.
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Alan
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Re: never tuned up

Post by Alan »

Colloquially, "never did X" = "did not do X"
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