EVER X ALWAYS

EVER X ALWAYS

1. EVER

   • = AT ANY TIME
   • Convert = NEVER
   • 1) Have you ever been to the Everglades in Florida? ~ Yes, I was there once, but it was years ago.
   • 2) If you ever need any help, just give me a ring.
   • FOR EMPHASIS
     • Why ever did he marry such a domineering woman?
       • EVER receives strong word stress
   • Hardly ever = very rarely/ seldom sedom,if ever = almost never
     • It seldom / hardly ever / very rarely rains in Puglia in the summer.
     • Now that we have young children, we seldom, if ever, go out in the evening.
   • = ALWAYS
     • Let me open the door for you. ~ Ever the gentleman!
     • AS EVER, FOREVER, EVER SINCE
       • I thought she might be upset by this, but she was as unperturbed as ever
       • We plan to live in this village now for ever. We shall never move out.
       • She's had a drink problem ever since her husband died.
         • The ever since construction the 'always' period commences when something happens.
     • COMPARATIVE ADJECTIVE
       • The water was rising ever higher and we were in danger of being cut off.

2. VERY OFTEN

   • I'm always losing my keys. I put them down and can never remember where I've put them.