Ever

"Do you drink?" does not imply any comparison.
"Do you ever drink?" need not imply comparison, and can be used in the same way as "Do you drink?" with the emphasis on 'drink'.

However, "Do you ever drink?" may imply a comparison, thus, with an emphasis on 'ever':

-- I'm not drinking tonight.
-- Really? Do you ever drink? (Is there any

CalifJimHowever, "Do you ever drink?" may imply a comparison, thus, with an emphasis on 'ever':-- I'm not drinking tonight.-- Really? Do you ever drink? (Is there any other time when you drink?)

Hi CJ,
Do you mean that 'Do you drink?' and 'Do you ever drink?' don't mean the same in that situation?
Can I also say 'Do you drink?' in this example:
I'm

AnonymousCan I also say 'Do you drink?' in this example:
--I'm not drinking tonight.
-- Really? Do you drink?

It works to express the second speaker's surprise that the first speaker drinks at all. In other words, it suggests that at the beginning of this exchange the second speaker thought that the first speaker did not drink at all.

CJ

Hi CJ,
Could you give some more examples of 'ever' when it implies a comparison?
Thanks for your help.

Anonymousmore examples

I just can't think of any others at the moment. Sorry.

CJ

Hi Jim,
May I ask a question about "ever"?

What is it?

CJ

I've seen "ever" as an adverb, I guess, to emphasize the adjective. I've checked dictionaries, but that is not still quite understandable. (I don't know the word, so I used "understandable". I meant the usage is not stick into my mind, and I haven't been acquired with the usage! Perhaps none of the usages!

Your examples show different uses and meanings of 'ever'.

The smell is worse than ever. ... worse than at any other time.
If ever there was a cause for celebration, this peace treaty was it. If, at any time, there was cause ...
He hardly ever washes the dishes.

Thank you dear Jim,
I knew the meanings, but I usually confuse them and don't know how to use them. Would you mind if I ask to explain more? Please help me.