Present Perfect
Lesson 3 of 7 · ~6 minutes

Lesson 3 · Present Perfect

ever / never

ever / never

ever — at any time in your life, mainly in questions: Have you ever met Tom? never — not once: I have never lost my keys. Both go between have / has and the past participle. One never is enough: not I haven't never.

Meaning

question
never
position

Example

Have you ever met Tom?
I have never lost my keys
ever / never between have and the verb
Meaning
Example
question
Have you ever met Tom?
never
I have never lost my keys
position
ever / never between have and the verb

Have you ever met Tom?

Has Anna ever visited the market?

I have never lost my phone.

We have never been to that park.

Where people usually slip

Three common mistakes, all about ever and never.

ever goes between have / has and the past participle: not Have you been ever to the park?, but Have you ever been to the park?.

One never is enough: not I haven't never lost my bag, but I have never lost my bag.

ever is for questions. In an ordinary positive statement it isn't used: not I have ever seen this film, but I have never seen this film or simply I have seen this film.

  • questionHave you ever met Tom?
  • neverI have never lost my phone.
  • positionever / never between have and the verb
  • one nevernot I haven't never
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