ever again

USAGE SUMMARY

"ever again" is correct and is widely used in written English.
It is usually used to express a hope or wish that something will not happen or be repeated. Example sentence: I never want to experience such heartache ever again.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not ever again.

The New York Times

If you ever again.

The New Yorker

Never ever again".

The New York Times - Arts

Ever, ever, ever again".

The New York Times - Sports

Will I ever again experience such peace?

The New York Times

Without being touched by anyone ever again?

The New York Times

But no jam ever again?

The Times

Not now, not ever again.

The Guardian

I probably won't ever again.

The New York Times

No one else ever again.

The New York Times

Never a problem ever again".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ever again" to emphatically express a wish or determination that something will not be repeated, especially after a negative experience.

Common error

While "ever again" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. More neutral alternatives like "in the future" or "subsequently" may be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever again" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It emphasizes the non-recurrence of an action or state. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing this emphatic usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ever again" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that adds emphasis to the non-recurrence of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it typically conveys a strong wish or determination that something will not happen in the future. While its usage is widespread across various sources, including News & Media and scientific contexts, it's crucial to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives like "in the future" or "subsequently" in highly academic or professional settings. This emphatic phrase helps you express a firm resolve to avoid repeating certain experiences or actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevermore

An emphatic form of 'never again', often used in literary contexts to indicate something will definitively not happen.

again

This is the base form, lacking the emphasis on 'ever' that implies a cessation or strong desire to not repeat something.

at any point in the future

This alternative highlights all the time ahead, where 'ever again' brings an emotional emphasis on a termination of an action.

in any future instance

Focuses on specific occurrences within a future context, whereas "ever again" implies a complete cessation.

once more

Emphasizes a single repetition rather than a continuous or habitual recurrence.

under any future circumstances

Highlights the conditions that might lead to a recurrence. 'Ever again' is about the action itself, not the surrounding conditions.

repeatedly

Focuses on the action being done multiple times, rather than the avoidance of future instances.

from now on

Signifies a change in behavior or policy starting at the present time and continuing indefinitely, but without negating a past action.

in the future

Broader term indicating a time that has not yet come; it lacks the finality of 'ever'.

for the rest of time

This emphasizes the indefinite continuation of a state, but does not have the implied negative wish.

FAQs

How do you use "ever again" in a sentence?

"Ever again" is typically used to express a strong desire or determination that something will not be repeated. For example, "I don't want to see that happen "ever again"".

What's the difference between "ever again" and "again"?

"Again" simply indicates a repetition. "Ever again" adds emphasis, suggesting a desire or vow that something will not happen a second time. It conveys a stronger emotional tone of finality or avoidance.

What can I say instead of "ever again" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "in the future", "subsequently", or "from this point forward". These options lack the emotional emphasis of "ever again" but maintain a professional tone.

Is it grammatically correct to use "ever again"?

Yes, the phrase "ever again" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both spoken and written English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage.