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MUSCOVITE Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

be forever doing something

Hi,

I understand the expression 'be forever doing something' is very close to 'be always doing something', but... Perhaps there are some subtle differences between the two?

(1) Is the version with the 'forever' any 'stronger' than the version with the 'always'?

(2) Is the version with the 'forever' common in modern English?

(3) I will always remember you (A) vs I will remember you forever (B).
(A) and (B) are correct English both? No noticeanle differences between them at all?

Thank you!

mus-te
  

Top answer

MUSCOVITE (1) Is the version with the 'forever' any 'stronger' than the version with the 'always'? I think so. The version with 'forever' comes closer to describing an obsessive doing — "never stops doing".

— CalifJim

  • MUSCOVITE (1) Is the version with the 'forever' any 'stronger' than the version with the 'always'?
  • I think so.
  • The version with 'forever' comes closer to describing an obsessive doing — "never stops doing".
  • I also think there is a sort of positive-negative aspect to the usage.
  • He's forever dreaming of becoming rich.
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1 Answers
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MUSCOVITE(1) Is the version with the 'forever' any 'stronger' than the version with the 'always'?
I think so. The version with 'forever' comes closer to describing an obsessive doing — "never stops doing". I also think there is a sort of positive-negative aspect to the usage.

He's forever dreaming of becoming rich. (positive)
He's always calling
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