ever

ever is part of the Basic English 850.

ever is one of the 1000 most common headwords.

ever

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈɛvə/, SAMPA: /"Ev@/
• (US) IPA: /ˈɛvɚ/, SAMPA: /"Ev@`/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
•  Audio (UK)^{help, file}

Adverb

Positive ever

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. If I ask you if you have ever been to France, I am asking if you have been to France at any time in your life.

   Have you ever met a king or queen?

2. Ever may also mean always.

   I will love you forever and ever.

Usage

Where ever means "at any time" it is used mainly in questions and negatives.

• Incorrect: I have ever been to France.
• Correct: I have been to France.
• Correct: I haven't ever been to France.
• Correct: I have never been to France. ("Never" is used, not "ever")

Synonyms

• (at any time) once
• (always) always, forever

Antonyms

• (at any time) never
• (always) never

Related words

• evergreen
• everlasting
• evermore
• forever