if not ever

USAGE SUMMARY

"if not ever" is correct and is used in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that may not occur. Example: If not ever before, this moment is the perfect time to make a change.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

If not, ever onward.

The New York Times

Not at all, as if not ever.

The New Yorker

"Definitely my favorite game of the year, if not ever".

The New York Times - Sports

It turns out we are one, if not ever how we expected".

The New Yorker

Whatever the real numbers, 2006 seems to have been the worst for many years, if not ever.

The Economist

For most workers, it would be the first significant cut in the payroll tax in decades, if not ever.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

By trumping Fox and ESPN by as much as it did, NBC assumed a constant if not ever-growing market for Olympic advertising that it believed would produce about $900 million in national sales for Vancouver.

The New York Times

Most shoppers milling about at the Queens Center Mall, at Macy's and at the Time Warner Center in Manhattan said their financial situations were about the same as they were last year, if not ever-so-slightly improved.

The New York Times

If not, you might not ever see it.

Huffington Post

Even if you can't ever find forgiveness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I would really like it if I didn't ever come back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if not ever" to subtly emphasize a point by suggesting the possibility of an ultimate condition or comparison. It adds a touch of hyperbole without fully committing to it.

Common error

Avoid using "if not ever" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can sound informal or hyperbolic. Opt for more precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not ever" functions as an adverbial phrase that qualifies or intensifies a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to emphasize the potential extremity of a situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if not ever" is a common phrase used to emphasize a point, suggesting that something is the most extreme or significant case, possibly in history. As Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it frequently appears in news and media sources, adding a touch of hyperbole to descriptions. When using it, consider the context and avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "if not the best" or "possibly the greatest" for similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not the best

Focuses on comparing to the best possible option, implying high quality or significance.

possibly the greatest

Emphasizes the potential for being the greatest, replacing the conditional 'if not' with 'possibly'.

maybe the finest

Replaces 'ever' with 'finest', focusing on quality and potential.

if not unparalleled

Highlights the uniqueness of something, suggesting it might not have any equal.

perhaps the ultimate

Suggests the possibility of being the final or best version, replacing 'ever' with 'ultimate'.

at least the most

Indicates being among the most significant, though perhaps not definitively the best.

if not the most significant

Focuses on the importance or impact of something, rather than overall quality.

potentially the top

Highlights the possibility of reaching the highest rank or position.

possibly the supreme

Emphasizes the highest level of quality or authority.

if not exceedingly

Focuses on surpassing a standard level

FAQs

How can I use "if not ever" in a sentence?

The phrase "if not ever" is used to suggest that something is the best or worst, or most significant, in a long time, possibly in history. For example, "This could be the most important decision in decades, if not ever."

What does "if not ever" mean?

It means something is possibly the most extreme case of its kind, either positively or negatively. It implies a high degree of intensity or significance.

What are some alternatives to "if not ever"?

You can use alternatives like "if not the best", "possibly the greatest", or "maybe the finest" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "if not never" instead of "if not ever"?

While "if not never" might seem similar, it doesn't convey the same meaning as "if not ever". "If not ever" implies a comparison to all past instances, whereas "if not never" suggests a condition where something might occur at some point.