How to say it better

Question

Hello!!!! I have two variants of one thought! The main idea is that in the 21st century the situation between countries (especially between Europe and Russia) has changed! How to say it better? What do you like more?In the 21st century with expanding cultural and financial relations Russian is open to European countries as never before. In the 21st century Russia has established solid financial relations with  foreign companies and has  opened up to meet new cultures and traditions as ever.  and what is the difference between as never before and as ever? Thank you!

MrPedantic · Accepted Answer

Hello SJ,

#1 is much better.

"As ever" implies that something has happened in the past, and continues to happen.

"As never before" emphatically implies that something may have happened in the past, but not to the present degree.

Best wishes,

MrP

Smilingjenia · Answer

Thank you veeery much!

Ed_shaw · Answer

I probably should leave this one alone. I am much happierwhen I am able to direct my attention to one issue, post my comment, and move on. Usually, when I see multiple issues, I avoid involvement. That having been said, here goes.

smilingjeniaIn the 21st century with expanding cultural and financial relations Russian is open to European countries as never before.

First, we correct the typo and make it " Russia".
We find "...open to European countries as never before." to be just fine. We can also say,
"..as open as ever." We cannot allow, "...has opened up as ever."

The sentence begins with an introductory prepositional phrase, which should be followed by a comma. That rule applies to most introductory elements. The introductory phrase is followed by a non-restrictive element, another prepositional phrase, which is acting to add descriptive information to the word Russia. The reason the phrase is called nonrestrictive is because it can be eliminated without significantly altering the meaning of the sentence. Some might dispute this point.

I am going to throw it up for discussion by claiming either of the following is correct.

1) In the 21st century Russia is open to European countries as never before.
2) In the 21st century, Russia is open to European countries as never before.

I am also going to suggest your first sentence should read:

In the 21st century, with expanding cultural and financial relations, Russia is open to European countries as never before.

Smilingjenia · Answer

Wow! Thank you!!! Could I ask you to correct my letter a little bit?? I'm applying to Master programme and it's very important for me!!

Smilingjenia · Answer

One more question:
as I understood here it's better to say as ever
so can I say:

In the 21st century, with expanding cultural and financial relations, Russia is as open to European countries as ever

Ed_shaw · Answer

Both of these sentences are correct.
We would not say one was better than the other, because
their meanings are not the same.

Russia is as open as to European countries ever.
Russia is open to European countries as never before.

MrPedantic · Answer

smilingjeniaOne more question:
as I understood here it's better to say as ever
so can I say:

In the 21st century, with expanding cultural and financial relations, Russia is as open to European countries as ever

Certainly that's a correct and idiomatic sentence. But if your intended meaning is:

The main idea is that in the 21st century the situation between countries (especially between Europe and Russia) has changed!

then Ed's version with "never before" might be more appropriate.

Best wishes,

MrP

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