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Ever

What does 'Ever' mean? Clear definitions, real examples and a short video, explained by a British English teacher.

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What does ‘Ever’ mean?

Always, eternally, until the end of time, at any time, or used as an intensifier. We use ever to mean always it is usually preceded by the preposition for giving us the for ever, which can also be spelt forever. In British English for ever is used to mean until the end of time whereas for ever and forever are both used to mean a for a long time. In American English only forever is normally used for both meanings.

“I hope life will be like this for ever. (eternally)”.
“This bus is taking forever to come. (a long time)”.
“We use ever to mean "at any time in the existence of". It has the opposite meaning to never. I haven't ever is the same as I have never”.
“Have you ever visited Poland? (at any time) No, never. Yes, I went in 1989”.
“Has a man ever been to the centre of the Earth. (at any time during the existence of man)”.
“We also use ever as an intensifier normally in the phrase ever so. It just adds intensity to the expression and means very”.
“That is ever so interesting. (very interesting)”.
“You have ever such a lovely house. (very lovely)”.
“I have eaten ever so much food. (very much)”.

Watch: ‘Ever’ explained

Video transcript

E is for ever. Ever, for always. I will love you for ever. Ever, eternally. Um... ever, at some time. Have you ever visited Japan? Have you ever read this book? OK. Ever, at some time. Or we can use ever to emph... amplify, strengthen. It's ever so difficult to get one of those. Ever so difficult, stressing the difficulty. Ever so difficult. Normally with ever so. So there you go, ever, nice word, try and remember it and use it.

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