Use of ever

The first sentence doesn't work. The second is fine.

Blue Jay The first sentence doesn't work. The second is fine.

Thanks a lot. I thought so. I am assuming that 'have see' without 'ever' also works. Right?

AnonymousI am assuming that 'have see' without 'ever' also works. Right?

No, you would say This is the most beautiful thing I ever saw.
It's much less common, but you can say This is the most beautiful thing I ever did see.

Blue Jay AnonymousI am assuming that 'have see' without 'ever' also works. Right?No, you would say This is the most beautiful thing I ever saw.It's much less common, but you can say This is the most beautiful thing I ever did see.

Thanks. Sorry I meant to say 'have seen' without 'ever'.

This is the most beautiful thing I have seen.

It would

It would be correct, but it doesn't carry the same degree of emphasis as the version with ever, which makes it clear that you are comparing it to everything you have seen in your entire life. You could say this after viewing a number of items in a museum or gallery, at which point it would be understood to mean that you were comparing it to other items you had seen there.

Blue JayIt would be correct, but it doesn't carry the same degree of emphasis as the version with ever, which makes it clear that you are comparing it to everything you have seen in your entire life. You could say this after viewing a number of items in a museum or gallery, at which point it would be understood to mean that you were comparing it to other items you had see