/Linking Words
B1Linking Words

Ever and Never

1

What is it?

EVER and NEVER are adverbs of frequency/time. NEVER (negative) = at no time, not ever: "I have never been to Paris" (0%). EVER (questions) = at any time: "Have you ever been to Paris?" Used in questions about experience. EVER (with superlatives): "the best I've ever seen" / "the tallest person I've ever met". EVER (with hardly/barely/nothing): "I hardly ever go" / "Nothing ever changes". NEVER (emphatic negative): "I will never forget" / "Never say never". Don't combine NEVER + negative ("I don't never"* = incorrect double negative).

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
NEVER (negative)I have never been to Paris. / I never eat meat. / I will never forget. / She never complains.not applicable (already negative)not used in questions*
EVER (questions)Have you ever been to Paris? / Did you ever meet him? / Have you ever tried sushi?not used in positive statements*standard use
EVER (with superlatives)the best I've ever seen / the tallest person I've ever met / the worst day evernot applicableWhat's the best movie you've ever seen?
EVER (after hardly/rarely)I hardly ever go. / I rarely ever see him. / Nothing ever changes.not applicablenot applicable
  • • NEVER: at no time (negative) → I have never been / I never go
  • • EVER: at any time (questions) → Have you ever been? / Did you ever try?
  • • Position: after auxiliary (have/has/had) → have never / have ever
  • • Present simple: before main verb → I never eat / I ever go (rare)
  • • EVER with superlatives: the best/worst/tallest... I've ever → the best I've ever seen
  • • EVER after: hardly, rarely, barely, nothing, no one → hardly ever / nothing ever
  • • DON'T use NEVER in questions* → Have you never...? (sounds like surprise/criticism)
  • • DON'T combine NEVER + not* → I don't never* (double negative, incorrect)
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    NEVER — at no time (negative meaning)

    "I have never been to Paris." (0% - I've not been at any time) / "I never eat meat." / "I will never forget you." / "She never gives up."

  2. 2

    EVER — in questions (at any time)

    "Have you ever been to Paris?" (at any time in your life?) / "Did you ever meet him?" / "Have you ever tried sushi?" / "Do you ever think about it?"

  3. 3

    EVER with superlatives

    "That's the best movie I've ever seen." / "She's the tallest person I've ever met." / "It was the worst day ever." / "This is the most beautiful place I've ever visited."

  4. 4

    EVER after hardly/rarely/barely

    "I hardly ever go there." (almost never) / "I rarely ever see him." / "Nothing ever changes." / "No one ever calls me."

  5. 5

    NEVER for emphasis

    "I will never forget this moment." / "Never give up!" / "I've never been so happy." / "Never say never." (don't say you'll never do something)

  6. 6

    DON'T use double negatives

    WRONG: "I don't never go."* | CORRECT: "I never go." OR "I don't ever go."

4

Common mistakes

I don't never go there.

I never go there. / I don't ever go there.

Don't use double negatives (NEVER + not).

I have ever been to Paris. (positive statement)

I have been to Paris. / Have you ever been to Paris?

Don't use EVER in positive statements (except after superlatives or hardly).

Have you never been to Paris? (neutral question)

Have you ever been to Paris?

Use EVER (not NEVER) in neutral questions. NEVER in questions shows surprise/criticism.

It's the best movie I never saw.

It's the best movie I've ever seen.

Use EVER (not NEVER) with superlatives.

5

Quick reference

  • NEVER: at no time (negative) → I have never been
  • EVER: at any time (questions) → Have you ever been?
  • EVER with superlatives: the best I've ever seen
  • EVER after hardly/rarely: hardly ever / nothing ever
  • DON'T: I don't never* (double negative)
  • DON'T: I have ever been* (use in questions only)
6

Natural conversation example

Discussing travel experiences

T

Tom

Have you ever been to Japan?
L

Lisa

No, I've never been to Asia at all. What about you?
T

Tom

Yes! It was the most amazing place I've ever visited.
L

Lisa

Lucky you! I hardly ever travel abroad. I've never had the time.
T

Tom

You should go! Have you ever tried Japanese food?
L

Lisa

A few times, but I'll never forget the first time I tried sushi. It was incredible!
T

Tom

See? You need to go to Japan. It's the best experience you'll ever have!

Practice Exercises

Complete with EVER or NEVER.

  1. 1.
    I have been to Paris.
  2. 2.
    Have you tried sushi?
  3. 3.
    It's the best movie I've seen.
  4. 4.
    I eat meat.
  5. 5.
    I hardly go there.
  6. 6.
    I will forget you.
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