How do we use EVER in Everyday English??
A lot of English learners get stuck on using ever. How about you? Have you ever had this problem? . Today, I am going to show you the various ways we can use this convenient English word. We’ll also look at the typical patterns used with ever.
Ever is an adverb and means at any time. I am sure you have learned that we use ever with questions and the present perfect tense:
- Have you ever gone to Brazil?
- Have you ever heard of David Gilmour?
There are a number of other ways in English that you can use ever.
We usually use ever in questions and negative sentences:
- You eat a bagel every morning. Do you ever get tired of it?
- The last time we met, you told me you lost your watch. Did you ever find it?
- Nobody ever invites the boss out for dinner.
- I don’t ever want to hear you say those bad words again!
In negative sentences, never is more common than ever:
- The guys in the office never invite the boss out for dinner.
- I never want to hear you say those bad words again!
We also use hardly ever, which means almost never:
- I hardly ever go bowling.
- Jack said his boss hardly ever gives anyone a compliment.
We also use ever in an if clause:
- If you ever come to New York, let me know. I’ll show you around.
- If I ever see my ex-girlfriend again, I’ll be so upset.
Ever is also used in a comparative [ ~ than ever] or superlative [~est + noun+ ever] sentence
- Bob’s grandfather is 94 years old, but he is stronger than ever.
- That was the best pizza ever!
In a similar way, we also use ever with as [as + adj + as ever]:
- Bob’s grandfather is 94 years old, but he is as strong as ever.
- I worked 15 hours yesterday. I was as tired as ever
Ever is also used with only [only + noun + ever]:
- The Jack is the only guy ever to have lunch with the CEO.
- Lori is the only person ever in my family to meet a famous movie star.
Keep in mind the best way to remember this or any vocabulary in English is to take the word or phrase write it in a sentence that’s true for you or true in your world and then memorize your sentences.
You can even take your sentences and write them in the comments below. I would love to see your examples. And if you really want help with vocabulary, sign up for my free vocabulary workshop (see below).
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Comments 7
Just one more question, if you don`t mind. In phrases like Do you ever go to football game does this ever have the meaning of usually
this was the best English web ever!
thanks you so much let me know ever!
Great explanation. Thanks for having considered my sugestion. I was under the impression that ever should be used only with the perfect tense – Have you ever………
GREAT EXPLANATION! THANK YOU !
Thanks Manuel!
Have you ever ridden a camel?
I have ever seen a snake
Kimouche, Thanks for the sentences. We don’t use ever in a positive sentence. Looks like I forgot to mention that. So, you can say, “I have seen a snake”