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ever

adv.
US //ˈɛvɝ// UK //ˈɛvɐ// ev·er
  1. 1 at any time (adv.)
    A1 Beginner

    at any time in the past, present, or future.

    at any time; frequently used in questions, negative statements, and conditional 'if' clauses.

    Example

    Have you ever seen a whale in the ocean?

    Example

    Few people ever stop to consider the complex logistics required to keep a modern city supplied with fresh water daily.

    Usage

    Commonly placed between the subject and the main verb in questions.
    • at any time
    • at any point
    Pitfall
    Did you ever went to Paris?
    Have you ever been to Paris?

    When asking about life experiences with 'ever', use the present perfect tense (have + past participle).

  2. 2 always or continuously (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    all the time or without stopping.

    continuously, constantly, or for an indefinite duration.

    Example

    The world is ever changing, and we must learn to adapt.

    Example

    The ever-increasing demand for renewable energy has driven significant investment into offshore wind farm technology.

    Usage

    Often used as a prefix in hyphenated compound adjectives like 'ever-present' or 'ever-growing'.
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  1. 3 intensifier for superlatives (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    used after words like 'best' or 'first' to mean 'of all time'.

    used as an intensifier following a superlative adjective or 'first/last' to emphasize the degree.

    Example

    That was the best meal I have ever eaten.

    Example

    The 1920s represented the fastest period of urban expansion the country had ever witnessed up to that point.
  2. 4 intensifier for questions (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    used after words like 'how' or 'why' to show surprise or strong feeling.

    functions as an intensifier following interrogative pronouns to express surprise, frustration, or emphasis.

    Example

    How ever did you manage to find my lost keys in this mess?

    Example

    Why ever would they choose to relocate the headquarters to such a remote region with poor transport links?

    Teacher's tip

    In modern writing, this is often written as one word (e.g., 'however', 'whatever') but remains two words when used for emphatic surprise.
  3. 5 forever (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Literary Archaic

    always and for all time.

    eternally or for an infinite duration.

    Example

    They promised to remain true to one another for ever and a day.

    Example

    The ancient ruins stand as a testament to a civilization that believed its glory would endure ever more.
Origin

From Middle English ever, from Old English ǣfre, originally a phrase whose first element undoubtedly consists of Old English ā (“ever, always”) + in (“in”) + an element possibly from feorh (“life, existence”) (dative fēore). Compare Old English ā tō fēore (“ever in life”), Old English feorhlīf (“life”). Sense 5 of the adverb was likely formed by association with never, which also carries the meaning of did not in colloquial Singaporean and Malaysian English. Also, compare Chinese 有 … 過 /有 … 过 (yǒu ... guò / jau⁵ ... gwo³, “has […] before”).

Word family

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