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MIA6 Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Ever
I think you can always hear this sentence "Have you ever done something?" But what does 'ever' mean in this sentence? Does it mean 1. 'before' or 2. at any time, the time range is 'from past to now'? Here i give you two examples:
Suppose that Alice and I are both travelling england now. If 'ever' means 'before', i would say: Have you ever been to England? (I didn't add 'before' at the end of the sentence since 'ever' already means 'before') If i am right, Alice would say: Yes, last summer.
If 'ever' means at any time, from past to now, i would say: Have you ever been to England? If i am right, Alice would say: hmm, this time and last summer.
What does 'ever' really mean in the sentence: Have you ever done something? Hope you can tell me, thanks.
Suppose that Alice and I are both travelling england now. If 'ever' means 'before', i would say: Have you ever been to England? (I didn't add 'before' at the end of the sentence since 'ever' already means 'before') If i am right, Alice would say: Yes, last summer.
If 'ever' means at any time, from past to now, i would say: Have you ever been to England? If i am right, Alice would say: hmm, this time and last summer.
What does 'ever' really mean in the sentence: Have you ever done something? Hope you can tell me, thanks.
Top answer
" But what does 'ever' mean in this sentence? Does it mean 1. 'before' or 2.
- " But what does 'ever' mean in this sentence?
- Does it mean 1.
- 'before' or 2.
- at any time, the time range is 'from past to now'?
- Here i give you two examples: Suppose that Alice and I are both travelling england now.
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4 Answers
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MIA6I think you can always hear this sentence "Have you ever done something?" But what does 'ever' mean in this sentence? Does it mean 1. 'before' or 2. at any time, the time range is 'from past to now'? Here i give you two examples:
Suppose that Alice and I are both travelling england now. If 'ever' means 'before', i would say: Have you ever been to England? (I
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Yes, you're over thinking it.
Obviously, if you and are standing on English soil as we speak, you know that I have been at least once - THIS time. Anyone you ask that question of will know what you mean.
"No, not aside from this trip."
"Yes, last summer."
"Oh, many times."
And only if I wanted to be a smart alec would I say "Yes, right now!" And if you wanted to avoid th
Obviously, if you and are standing on English soil as we speak, you know that I have been at least once - THIS time. Anyone you ask that question of will know what you mean.
"No, not aside from this trip."
"Yes, last summer."
"Oh, many times."
And only if I wanted to be a smart alec would I say "Yes, right now!" And if you wanted to avoid th
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Hi, Grammar Greek. Thus, you think that 'ever' means 'at any time', right?
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I would say so, yes. BUT the person you are speaking with will have an understanding of context. As others have said here before, conversations don't take place in a vaccuum and context gives clues about intended meaning.
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