VOA慢速英语2020--Ever or Never?

Question:

I'm following your program all the time and I love it so much. I desperately¹ want to learn about the meaning of the word "ever," especially the differences between "ever" and "never." Thanks very much!

- Viola, China

Answer:

Dear Viola,

Thanks for following our program. There are some simple rules that may help you learn how to use the words "ever" and "never."

Ever

"Ever" is an adverb, so it affects the meaning of a verb². The simple meaning of "ever" is "at least once." It can also mean, "at all times." Language experts tell us that "ever" only belongs in sentences with some negative quality. For example,

She didn't ever call back.

means³ the same as, She did not call at all times.

You will see "ever" in questions. The question,

Have you ever seen the northern lights?

means the same as Have you seen the northern lights at least once?

Where is the negative in that question? Grammar experts say that when you ask a question, there may be a negative answer. So "ever" is used in this kind of question.

Ever can also express a doubt, as in:

If you ever see that man again, ask his name.

The speaker here is unsure about whether the listener⁴ will see the man again.

Never

On the other hand, "never" already has a negative idea, so it belongs in sentences without any negative. "Never" is also an adverb, and it means "not ever," or "not at any time."

I have never seen such a beautiful sky.

Another difference is that you can use "never" as a one-word answer, while you cannot do so with "ever." For example:

A: You copied my work.

B: Me? Never!

And that's Ask a Teacher for this week. I hope you never stop asking questions!

Words in This Story

negative – n. a word or statement⁵ that means "no" or that expresses a denial⁶ or refusal⁷

doubt – v. to be uncertain about (something); to believe that (something) may not be true or is unlikely

1 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

2 verb   

n.[语]动词

参考例句：

• The sentence is formed from a verb and two nouns.这句子由一个动词和两个名词构成。
• These are the finite forms of a verb.这些是一个动词的限定形式。

3 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

4 listener   

n.听众；收听者

参考例句：

• I'm a regular listener to her show.我经常收听她的节目。
• She became an attentive listener.她变成了一个专心致志的聆听者。

5 statement   

n.陈述；声明；综述

参考例句：

• The government will put out a new statement tomorrow.政府将于明天发布一项新声明。
• Put down your statement in black and white.把你的话用白纸黑字写下来。

6 denial   

n.否认；拒绝，拒绝给予

参考例句：

• The newspaper printed a denial of the untrue story.报社刊登了否认不实消息的声明。
• Her denial of my advice hurts me.她拒绝我的忠告伤害了我。

7 refusal   

n.拒绝

参考例句：

• He persisted in his refusal to pay the money.他坚持拒绝付钱。
• Our offer was met with a firm refusal.我们的报价被坚决拒绝。