Using correct sentence structure for "ever had".

Question

I need some professional comments on correct sentence structure/syntax for the use of ever had with the correct grammatical syntax sentence structure. That is to say, whenever using the 2 word combination of ever had in a correct sentence/grammar structure, ever had must be qualified by a precice time frame to be grammatically correct. For example, "Have you ever had a sunburn?" verses "Have you ever had a sunburn in your present life-time?" Or, "Have you ever had an injury?" verses "Have you ever had an injury in the last ten years?" Where here the qualifier to give ever had any grammatical meaning or worth is the time frame qualifier "last ten years". One style (the fisrt sentemce of all these examples is very vague and meaningless verses the sencond sentence example as being more correct and meaning full.

Would it not be correct to say that the first snetence examples are wrong verses the second sentences examples being correct/right?

Any and all professional opinions are greatly appreciated. Guy

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

The qualifier does not have to be stated if it is apparent to the listener.

eg Have you ever had a headache? Without any context, this would be understaood by a native speaker to refer to your entire life-time.

eg Has the Earth ever been hit by an asteroid? Would be understood to refer to the period of the Earth's existence.

eg Has Obama ever authorized an attack on another country? Would be understood to refer to the period in which he has been President.

Indeed, stating the period when it is obvious is often an odd thing to do.

eg Have you ever had a sunburn in your present life-time? This sounds comical.

Clive

Using correct sentence structure for "ever had".

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