[Grammar] how to use "ever" in a sentence
- Thread starter areev
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TheParser
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***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Good morning, areev.
(1) This word means lots of different things.
(a) A good dictionary could really give you some helpful examples.
(2) I personally use it usually only in two cases:
(a) Questions.
(i) Have you ever visited Paris? That is, have you visited Paris AT LEAST one time in your life?
(b) Negative.
(i) I'm sorry. I will not ever do that again. That is, I promise that I will not do that again EVEN one more time.
(c) There are other uses that I don't understand well, so I will let others explain them.
(3) It might be helpful to remember that "never" = not + ever:
(a) Have you EVER been to Paris? No, I have NEVER been there./ No, I haveN"T EVER been there.
Have a nice day!
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I was thinking along exactly the same lines. Almost every example I came up with was a question! In addition, I would agree that it can be used for emphasis:
I will never, EVER do that again.
However, even if that case, I would always use the word "never" before it.
So, in a question, it means (usually) "at any time" either in the past or the future.
Have you ever jumped out of a plane?
Would you ever jump out of a plane?
Do you think you will ever meet Brad Pitt?
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