it would ever be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would ever be" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect.
It could be used in a hypothetical context, but it is generally better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "I never thought it would ever be possible to achieve such a feat."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's so easy that every wealthy Western country has done it, and was doing it, even as its masterminds were arguing about whether it would ever be imaginable.

The New Yorker

Mr. Newell said that there was a better chance that Valve would "disintegrate," its independent-minded workers scattering, than that it would ever be sold.

The New York Times - Tech

Some questioned whether it would ever be implemented, but few quarrelled with its thinking.Since then, Tony Blair has repeatedly called on the armed services to do his bidding.

The Economist

Although FV-100 is the most potent and selective anti-VZV agent ever reported, it is questionable whether it would ever be developed and commercialized because of its limited usefulness (VZV only).

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B

The family had sunk its savings into the Porter Ranch home and now worried if it would ever be habitable or sellable, said Jeon. "We sacrificed so much.

The Guardian - Film

City Hall, located now as then in Manhattan, was at that time so far removed from the centre of activity that its northern facade was left unfinished, since few could imagine it would ever be seen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I asked about the Pan-American Highway, whether he thought it would ever be built.

The New Yorker

"I never accepted that it would ever be a minimum requirement," he said.

Independent

"Never in my wildest imaginations did I think it would ever be passed," she said.

The New York Times

The variety of religions was also wide, wider than it would ever be in China again.

The New York Times - Arts

At the time, there was little reason to suspect that it would ever be revived.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it would ever be", ensure the context clearly establishes a hypothetical or conditional scenario. This phrasing is most effective when expressing doubt or questioning the likelihood of a future event. For instance: "I never imagined "it would ever be" this difficult."

Common error

Avoid using "it would ever be" in declarative sentences where a direct assertion is more appropriate. Instead of "I think it would ever be useful", consider "I doubt it will be useful" for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would ever be" functions primarily to introduce a hypothetical scenario, often expressing doubt or uncertainty about a future event or state. This is supported by Ludwig examples where the phrase is used to question likelihood, as flagged by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it would ever be" is frequently used to express doubt or uncertainty about a future event, particularly in hypothetical scenarios. While Ludwig AI flags that the phrase is not standard in written English, and suggests it may sound awkward or incorrect, its frequent occurrence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its common usage in News & Media. For clearer and more impactful writing, consider direct alternatives if a simple declarative statement is more appropriate. It is important to note that context is key as this phrase performs best when questioning the likelihood of a future event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could ever happen

Focuses on the possibility of an event occurring, replacing "would" with "could" to emphasize potential.

it could potentially be

Adds emphasis to the potential or possibility using "potentially".

it might ever exist

Highlights the potential for something to exist, substituting "would be" with "might exist".

it may eventually be

Shifts the focus to a future possibility with "eventually", suggesting a later time.

it is ever likely to be

Emphasizes the likelihood of something occurring, using "likely" to express probability.

it is ever expected to be

Focuses on expectations, replacing "would" with "is expected" to emphasize anticipation.

it is ever going to be

Uses the colloquial "going to be" to suggest a future state or condition.

it will at some point be

Specifies that the event might happen at an unspecified future time.

it is at all possible

Replaces the entire phrase with a direct question about possibility.

it will someday be

Uses "someday" to indicate an indefinite time in the future.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it would ever be" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "it could ever be", "it might ever be", or "it is likely to be" depending on the context and intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it would ever be"?

This phrase is best used in hypothetical or conditional contexts, especially when expressing doubt or uncertainty about a future possibility. For example: "I never thought "it would ever be" possible to travel to Mars."

What's the difference between "it would ever be" and "it could ever be"?

"It would ever be" suggests a conditional or hypothetical situation with a degree of doubt. "It could ever be" implies a possibility, though perhaps a remote one, without the same level of doubt.

Are there specific contexts where "it would ever be" sounds awkward?

Yes, in direct statements or assertions, "it would ever be" can sound awkward. In such cases, rephrasing with more direct language like "it is unlikely to be" or "it will never be" can improve clarity.