That soldier doesn't if it will happen ever again

[alpacinou]

I want to suggest a soldier in a battle doesn't know when and if he can see his children again. Can I say "if ever again"?

Does this work?

The soldier doesn't know when he will see his children, if ever again.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

It's fine. You don't really need "again."

 

[GoesStation]

It's wrong with again. Remove that word and it's okay. This would be more natural to me: The soldier doesn't know when — if ever — he will see his children [again].

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I'll go with Goes.

 

[Tarheel]

It's different with if. Perhaps:

He doesn't know if he will ever see his children again.

(My opinion.)

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd use "He doesn't know when he will see his children again, if ever."