is ever elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

"is ever elusive" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is difficult to attain or capture. Example: Happiness is ever elusive, slipping through our fingers like grains of sand.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We should strive to do our best," she writes, "but if the prize is ever elusive perfection, then the fear of failure will too often overshadow the willingness to experiment, take risks, and challenge ourselves".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

From 1919 on, the real Village has been ever elusive and lamented, lingering in memory as the moment before the latest generation of usurpers took over.

The New York Times - Arts

We should strive to do our best, but if the prize is ever-elusive perfection, then the fear of failure will too often overshadow the willingness to experiment, take risks and challenge ourselves.

Huffington Post

If there is the ever elusive open parking spot, it is meant to be.

Huffington Post

All bases were covered: Juvenile was the jovial older brother with an irresistible country drawl, B.G. was the chinky-eyed thug who recorded five solo albums by the age of 19, Young Turk was the ever elusive lyricist, and Lil' Wayne, the baby of the bunch.

Vice

While Flynn inspires excesses of sharing in others, there's something ever elusive about her; she's adept at hiding behind her own lens.

The New York Times

Today, as both Iraq and Syria writhe in sectarian conflicts, the sense of nationhood that could bind those states together seems as elusive as it's ever been.

The New Yorker

But in "Capturing the Friedmans," Andrew Jarecki's creepy allegory of suspect justice, family dysfunction, human frailty and elusive truth, little was ever succinct or unambiguous.

The New York Times

Now, he's asking for some help to get his hands on some of the most elusive documents he's ever tried to nab.

Vice

Hoaxes are part of the deal, one being the ever-elusive but intermittently exhibited John Dogg, an artist who is widely thought to be a fiction concocted by Mr. Prince and the innovative art dealer Colin de Land.

The New York Times

Finally, there is the ever-elusive permanent post.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is ever elusive" when you want to convey that something is not just difficult to find or achieve, but that this difficulty is a persistent and ongoing characteristic.

Common error

Avoid using "is ever elusive" in everyday situations where simpler language would suffice. This phrase is best reserved for describing abstract concepts or significant challenges, rather than trivial matters.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "is ever elusive" is to act as a predicate adjective phrase, describing a subject as being in a continuous state of elusiveness. It modifies the subject by attributing to it the quality of being perpetually difficult to obtain or understand, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is ever elusive" serves as a descriptive phrase indicating something is persistently difficult to obtain or grasp. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and functions as a predicate adjective phrase, adding emphasis to the ongoing nature of the elusiveness. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, used to highlight the continuous challenge or frustration associated with something that consistently avoids attainment. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to avoid overuse in trivial situations and reserve it for contexts where its emphasis on persistent unattainability is truly relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains perpetually out of reach

Emphasizes the continuous and unattainable nature.

is persistently out of reach

Highlights the ongoing state of being beyond one's ability to get something.

consistently proves unattainable

Highlights the repeated failure to achieve something.

is perpetually difficult to attain

Stresses ongoing difficulty in achieving something.

remains chronically unobtainable

Emphasizes a persistent inability to be obtained.

continues to evade capture

Focuses on the idea of something actively avoiding being caught or understood.

always seems just beyond grasp

Suggests a constant nearness to, but ultimate failure in reaching a goal.

is perennially unachievable

Focuses on a long-lasting state of being impossible to reach.

eludes attainment indefinitely

Highlights the uncertainty of ever achieving the objective

proves consistently intangible

Highlights the lack of concrete or perceivable nature.

FAQs

How can I use "is ever elusive" in a sentence?

You can use "is ever elusive" to describe something difficult to obtain or grasp, like, "Happiness "is ever elusive", yet we strive for it".

What are some alternatives to "is ever elusive"?

Alternatives include "remains perpetually out of reach", "consistently proves unattainable", or "continues to evade capture", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "is ever elusive"?

Yes, "is ever elusive" is grammatically correct and functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a continuous state of being difficult to attain.

What's the difference between "is elusive" and "is ever elusive"?

"Is elusive" suggests something is generally hard to grasp, while "is ever elusive" implies this difficulty is persistent and ongoing. The addition of "ever" intensifies the sense of continuous unattainability.