ためしがない | Grammar

Structure

[verb た-form] + ためしがない

Description

ためしがない is used to express that something has never happened or is never the case. It conveys a strong sense that there is no precedent or example of something occurring. The word ためし（試し）means "precedent" or "instance," so the literal sense is "there is no instance of ~."

This expression is typically attached to the past tense of a verb (Verb[た] + ためしがない) and is used to emphasize that a particular outcome or event has not once occurred, often with a tone of frustration, resignation, or strong assertion.

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He has never once come on time.

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This plan has never once worked out.

Nuance

Compared to simply saying ～たことがない ("have never done"), ためしがない carries a stronger emotional weight. It implies that the speaker has observed repeated failures or absences over time and is making a sweeping judgment based on that experience. It often sounds exasperated or emphatic.

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What that person says has never once been right.

Usage notes

The subject of the verb is usually a third person or a situation/thing, rather than the speaker themselves. It is uncommon to use ためしがない about one's own actions.
The expression is mostly used in written language or emphatic spoken language, fitting its N1 level.
It can also appear as ためしはない with the contrastive は instead of が, adding even more emphasis.

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There has never been a time when she was pleased with a gift I gave her.

Examples

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He has never once kept a promise.

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That team has never once advanced to the finals.

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Money I've lent to my younger brother has never once been returned.

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This weather forecast has never once been accurate.

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Her diets have never once succeeded.

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Our boss has never once listened to a subordinate's opinion.

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Government reforms have never once gone well.

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That shop has never once not been crowded.

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There has never been an instance where I asked my father for something and he did it right away.

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I have never once managed to stick with my New Year's resolutions to the end.

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His predictions have never once not been wrong.

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This machine has never once operated without trouble.