ever high

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ever high" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear in context.
It could be used in poetic or artistic expressions to convey a sense of perpetual elevation or aspiration. Example: "Her dreams soared ever high, reaching for the stars beyond the horizon."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

CONTENDER Make Up For Ever High Definition Foundation.

The New York Times

Attempts are made all over the world to reach ever high levels and post the result on http://hwbot.org/.org/

The Economist

This winter we observed the wolves of Isle Royale National Park experience one of their toughest years ever — high mortality rates and low recruiting left relatively few wolves.

The New York Times

They cheered Jessica Ennis-Hill to her season's best time in the 100m hurdles and her heptathlon rival Katarina Johnson-Thompson to her best ever high jump.

The Guardian - Sport

Five years ago, Prof Olson used one of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales to identify evidence of one of the planet's highest ever high tides.

The Guardian

The good times here are not nearly as good as they were in the last big oil boom in the 1970s and 1980s — and nobody expects they will get that way, how ever high prices rise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Divorces are only ever high-profile when there's lots of money involved, which makes it seem like normal people with normal finances have little to learn from them.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's worth a quick mention of New Kids on the Block's Jordan Knight, whose career could have blossomed had all of his singles been as strong as Give It to You – the video for which features the best ever high-energy dance routine conducted in a ribbed beige polo neck.

The Guardian - Music

UNEMPLOYMENT is creeping ever higher.

The Economist

Stock prices marched ever higher.

The New York Times

The boldface treatment worked, helping to push prices ever higher.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ever high", consider if a more common alternative like "always high" or "continually high" would provide greater clarity and avoid potential awkwardness.

Common error

Avoid using "ever high" in formal writing unless aiming for a stylistic effect. More conventional phrases ensure clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever high" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of perpetual or continuous elevation. As Ludwig AI pointed out, its usage is uncommon and can sound awkward, but it conveys a sense of ongoing height.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ever high" is an uncommon adjectival phrase used to describe something continuously at a high level. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, while grammatically acceptable, it's often perceived as awkward and might be better replaced by alternatives like "always high" or "continually high" for increased clarity. Its primary usage is in news and media and scientific contexts, but it is advisable to be cautious when using it in formal contexts. The expert rating reflects these mixed signals, indicating moderate confidence in its overall effectiveness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continually high

Replaces 'ever' with 'continually', suggesting ongoing elevation but implies a constant state rather than a progressive one.

always high

Substitutes 'ever' with 'always', indicating a consistent high level without necessarily implying progression.

consistently high

Replaces 'ever' with 'consistently', emphasizing the regularity and dependability of being high.

continuously high

Similar to 'continually high', but with a stronger sense of uninterrupted elevation.

increasingly high

Emphasizes the increasing aspect but removes the sense of constancy or indefinite time.

steadily high

Focuses on the stability and evenness of the high level, differing from the potential fluctuation implied by "ever".

persistently high

Highlights the stubborn or unwavering nature of being high, adding a connotation not present in the original phrase.

uninterruptedly high

Emphasizes that there are no breaks in the period of being high, while "ever" simply expresses duration.

perpetually high

Implies a timeless, unending state of being high, differing from the more general sense of "ever".

constantly high

Highlights a high level as something that happens regularly or all the time.

FAQs

What does "ever high" mean?

The phrase "ever high" suggests something that is continuously or perpetually at a high level, though it is not a very common expression.

What can I say instead of "ever high"?

You can use alternatives like "continually high", "always high", or "consistently high" depending on the context.

Is "ever high" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "ever high" is less common and can sound awkward. It's generally preferable to use more standard phrases like "always high".

When is it appropriate to use "ever high"?

The phrase "ever high" might be suitable in creative writing or informal contexts where a slightly unusual expression is desired. However, in formal or technical writing, clearer alternatives are recommended.