But ever

USAGE SUMMARY

"but ever" is not a correct and usable form in written English.
It is an incomplete phrase without a verb. You cannot use it without providing more context. For example, you could say: "I have tried to keep an open mind, but ever since I heard the news, it has been hard to trust anyone."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

But ever so politely.

The Economist

But ever since everything went violent".

The Guardian

But ever since, foreigners have come to undress.

The New York Times - Travel

But ever since, I've hated guns and loved Paris.

The New York Times - Books

But ever resilient, the city shows signs of life.

The New York Times

But ever since I met Michelle, I wake up happy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But, ever since the credit crisis began, big moves have become common.

The New Yorker

Apple Computer still maintains a comparatively small but ever-dedicated core of users.

Forbes

But ever-faster chips eventually become impractical.

The New York Times - Tech

Offstage, but ever-present, was Tsarnaev's elder brother Tamerlan.

The Guardian

Byron's guilt-ridden but ever-questing hero would, as Grosskurth says, "haunt the imagination of Europe".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "But ever" in formal writing. It is grammatically incomplete and requires further context to be meaningful. Instead, opt for clearer and more standard conjunctions and adverbs such as "However", "Nevertheless", or "Yet" to introduce contrast.

Common error

Do not use "But ever" as a standalone phrase. This construction is not grammatically correct and lacks a verb or additional context to convey a complete thought. Always ensure a verb and a clear subject are present to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "But ever" lacks a clear grammatical function when used in isolation. It typically requires additional words to form a coherent clause or sentence. As Ludwig AI states, it is an incomplete phrase. Examples provided by Ludwig show the correct usage is "But ever since", not "But ever" alone.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "But ever" is grammatically incomplete and not recommended for use in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it requires additional context to be meaningful. While the intention may be to introduce contrast and continuity, standard alternatives such as "However", "Nevertheless", or "Yet" provide clearer and more effective communication. Because "But ever" is typically avoided in formal contexts, authoritative sources do not validate its usage as a standalone phrase. When aiming for clarity and correctness, it's best to opt for established grammatical structures. While it can be found in less formal or creative contexts, remember to use proper grammar in formal usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

However, always

Replaces "ever" with "always", creating a clearer sense of continuity with the contrasting "however".

Yet, consistently

Uses "yet" to introduce a contrast and "consistently" to imply ongoing action.

But continually

Replaces "ever" with "continually", focusing on the repeated nature of an action in contrast.

Nevertheless, perpetually

Employs "nevertheless" to indicate contrast and "perpetually" to denote an unending state.

Though, invariably

Uses "though" to introduce a contrast and "invariably" to suggest an unvarying occurrence.

But in any case

Offers a shift in direction while still maintaining a connection to the previous statement, moving forward despite any obstacles.

Even so, repeatedly

Combines "even so" to show concession and "repeatedly" to stress the recurring nature of an event.

But at the same time

Introduces a simultaneous, contrasting element, indicating that two things are happening concurrently.

Conversely, relentlessly

Uses "conversely" to present an opposite point and "relentlessly" to highlight the unyielding aspect of an action.

Despite this, persistently

Employs "despite this" to acknowledge a preceding fact and "persistently" to emphasize the continuation of an action against resistance.

FAQs

Is "But ever" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "But ever" is not grammatically correct as a standalone phrase in standard English. It requires additional context and a verb to form a complete thought. According to Ludwig AI, it's an incomplete phrase.

How can I correctly use "ever" in a sentence?

To use "ever" correctly, incorporate it into phrases like "ever since", "if ever", or "hardly ever". For example, "I haven't seen him "hardly ever" lately" is grammatically sound.

What phrases can I use instead of "But ever" to show contrast?

To show contrast, use conjunctions like "however", "nevertheless", or "yet". For example, instead of "But ever", you might say, "However, the situation remains complex".

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "But ever", even if it's not standard?

You might encounter "But ever" in informal speech or creative writing where grammatical rules are sometimes bent for stylistic effect. However, it is best to avoid in formal or academic contexts.