ever
Translation
ever, at any time, always
Examples
Have you ever been to London?
Have you ever been to London?
It's the best film I've ever seen.
It's the best film I've ever seen.
He is ever so clever.
He is ever so clever.
They lived happily ever after.
They lived happily ever after.
Grammar Patterns
in questions to mean 'at any time' Have you ever been to Spain?
with superlatives to mean 'of all time' This is the best book I've ever read.
in the phrase 'happily ever after' to mean 'forever' They lived happily ever after.
in the phrase 'ever so' to mean 'very' She was ever so pleased to see him.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Old English 'æfre', meaning 'always, at any time'.
Memory Tips
Think of it as covering 'every' moment in time. 'Have you ever...?' asks about any moment up to now. 'Happily ever after' means for every moment in the future.