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Magic79 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Ever/never which's stronger?

Hi All,

Which of the following sentences would be more emphatic (ever or never):

1. The king hasn't ever looked at them.

2. The king never looked at them.

Or are they equally at the same level? How about questions:

1. Has the king ever looked at them?

2. Has the king never looked at them?

Thanks
  

Top answer

Which of the following sentences would be more emphatic (ever or never)? -- It depends more on tone of voice than 'never' vs 'not ever'. How about questions: 1.

— Mister Micawber

  • Which of the following sentences would be more emphatic (ever or never)?
  • -- It depends more on tone of voice than 'never' vs 'not ever'.
  • How about questions: 1.
  • -- This is the objective unmarked question.
  • The speaker has no evident opinion.
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4 Answers
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Which of the following sentences would be more emphatic (ever or never)? Or are they equally at the same level?-- It depends more on tone of voice than 'never' vs 'not ever'.

How about questions:

1. Has the king ever looked at them?-- This is the objective unmarked question. The speaker has no evident opinion.

2. Has the king never looked at them?-- T
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Thanks Micawber.

So in writing they are the same. But in speaking, it all depends how you stress the words EVER and NEVER.

Thanks
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That's how I feel it. (Please note that in your examples, #1 is present perfect while #2 is simple past. My comment does not take that under consideration; I presume that you know the difference.)
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Yes, the tense is not the focus. It is EVER and NEVER.

I should have written the examples in the same tense not to confuse the other readers.

Thanks
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