What's your opinion?

[shane]

This was asked by a student online (it was in his test):

This is the story I have ____ heard. It's very interesting , isn't it?

A.ever
B.never
C.hardly
D.often

Which would you choose? :shock:

 

[MikeNewYork]

This was asked by a student online (it was in his test):

This is the story I have ____ heard. It's very interesting , isn't it?

A.ever
B.never
C.hardly
D.often

Which would you choose? :shock:

I would choose "often". It seems to me that the question turns on the words "this" and "the". If you change them to "that" and "a", both "often" and "never" seem to work.

 

[shane]

I would choose "often". It seems to me that the question turns on the words "this" and "the". If you change them to "that" and "a", both "often" and "never" seem to work.

Nice one, cheers Mike!

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would choose "often". It seems to me that the question turns on the words "this" and "the". If you change them to "that" and "a", both "often" and "never" seem to work.

Nice one, cheers Mike!

Howdy, Shane! :wink:

 

[shane]

Howdy, Shane! :wink:

Wassup! 8)

 

[Jesse Huang]

Suppose after A told B a story, then A would say:

This is the story I have ever heard. It's very interesting , isn't it?

(right?)

 

[MikeNewYork]

Suppose after A told B a story, then A would say:

This is the story I have ever heard. It's very interesting , isn't it?

(right?)

No. To use "ever" there, one would need a modifier before "story".

This is the best story I have ever heard.
This is the first story I have ever heard.
This is the worst story I have ever heard.
This is the longest story I have ever heard.

 

[shane]

Suppose after A told B a story, then A would say:

This is the story I have ever heard. It's very interesting , isn't it?

(right?)

That seems to be a common error in usage here in China. I often hear things like:

- I have ever been to Bejing.
- My teacher has ever taught me this.
- I have ever seen this movie.