- ever
- [[t]e̱və(r)[/t]]
♦(Ever is an adverb which you use to add emphasis in negative sentences, commands, questions, and conditional structures.)1) ADV: ADV before v, ADV adv Ever means at any time. It is used in questions and negative statements.
I'm not sure I'll ever trust people again...
Neither of us had ever skied...
Have you ever experienced failure?...
I don't know if you ever read any of his books...
I forbid you ever to use that word!...
You won't hear from Gaston ever again.
Ant:2) ADV: in questions, ADV before v (emphasis) You use ever in expressions such as `did you ever' and `have you ever' to express surprise or shock at something you have just seen, heard, or experienced, especially when you expect people to agree with you.Have you ever seen anything like it?...
Did you ever hear anyone sound so peculiar?
3) ADV: ADV after compar than, ADV after adj-superl (emphasis) You use ever after comparatives and superlatives to emphasize the degree to which something is true or when you are comparing a present situation with the past or the future.She's got a great voice and is singing better than ever...
Japan is wealthier and more powerful than ever before...
He feels better than he has ever felt before...
`Fear Of Music' remains among the best albums ever for many music fans...
This is the most awful evening I can ever remember.
4) ADV: ADV adj/n You use ever to indicate that a person is showing a particular quality that is typical of them. [WRITTEN]He was ever careful to check his scripts...
Mother, ever the peacemaker, pointed her finger at my little brother and said, `See? Now stop!'
Syn:5) ADV: ADV adj/adv You use ever to say that something happens more all the time.They grew ever further apart...
I think the amount of work will increase and that it will become ever more complex.
6) ADV: ADV before v (emphasis) You can use ever for emphasis after `never'. [INFORMAL]I can never, ever, forgive myself...
Felix has never, ever confided in me.
7) ADV: quest ADV (emphasis) You use ever in questions beginning with words such as `why', `when', and `who' when you want to emphasize your surprise or shock.Why ever didn't you tell me?...
When ever am I going to see you again?...
Who ever heard of a thing like that?
8) PHR-CONJ-SUBORD If something has been the case ever since a particular time, it has been the case all the time from then until now.He's been there ever since you left!...
Ever since we moved last year, I worry a lot about whether I can handle this new job...
`Have you been chatting for long?' - `Ever since you left.'
ADV: ADV after v, ADV with clEver is also an adverb.I simply gave in to him, and I've regretted it ever since... In 1985 her first collection received rave reviews from Women's Wear Daily. Ever since, applause has never ceased.
9) ADV: ADV such/so (emphasis) You use ever in the expressions ever such and ever so to emphasize that someone or something has a particular quality, especially when you are expressing enthusiasm or gratitude. [BRIT, INFORMAL]When I met Derek he was very lively and ever such a good dancer...
This is in ever such good condition...
I like him ever so much...
I'm ever so grateful...
I saw him pause ever so slightly.
10) → See also forever11) PHRASE: V inflects (emphasis) You use the expression all someone ever does when you want to emphasize that they do the same thing all the time, and this annoys you.All she ever does is whinge and complain...
All he ever does is discuss the same boring list of medications.
12) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say as ever in order to indicate that something or someone's behaviour is not unusual because it is like that all the time or very often.As ever, the meals are primarily fish-based...
He was by himself, alone, as ever.
13) CONVENTION You can write `Yours ever' or `Ever yours' at the end of a letter before you sign your name, as an affectionate way of ending the letter. [BRIT, OLD-FASHIONED]
English dictionary. 2008.
