that ever existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that ever existed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the extreme extent to which something has happened or existed. For example: "This is the best sandwich that ever existed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By then, innocence, if that ever existed, was long gone.

The New York Times - Books

"He was playing every opening that ever existed," Hansen said.

The New Yorker

Possibly the most topping school that ever existed (3).

The Guardian - Books

Apple Corporation is one of the most profitable, and socially influential companies that ever existed.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

"It was one of the most swinging bands that ever existed," he said.

The New York Times

"They said I was the lowest, most horrible, most despicable person that ever existed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But perhaps the best-run national oil company that ever existed was in Venezuela.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Segal spoke of his old comrades fondly as "the most loving dysfunctional family that ever existed".

The New York Times

Young participated in reenactments as an SS officer — "one of the most vicious terrorist groups that ever existed," Kromberg said.

The Washington Post

Ms. Beloff described the group as "the only amateur psychoanalytic society that ever existed in this country".

The New York Times - Arts

"We may be sitting on one of the most widely available and cost effective therapeutic modalities that ever existed," Turow said.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that ever existed" to add emphasis when describing something as the most extreme or significant of its kind. For instance, "This is the most comprehensive study that ever existed on the topic."

Common error

Avoid using "that ever existed" in simple or mundane statements where the emphasis is unnecessary. It can sound hyperbolic and detract from the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that ever existed" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun phrase. It adds emphasis and indicates the extreme nature or duration of the noun's existence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that ever existed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause designed to emphasize the superlative nature of a noun. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its function is to highlight the extreme extent or duration of something's existence. While it is common across various contexts, it is especially prevalent in news and media, followed by science and academic writing. To ensure effective communication, it's advisable to use this phrase judiciously to avoid over-emphasis in simple statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that has ever been

Focuses more on the state of being rather than existence itself.

that existed at any time

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of existence.

that once was

Highlights a past state of existence, often implying it no longer exists.

that has ever occurred

Shifts the focus to an event or occurrence rather than a general entity.

that has previously existed

Adds a formal tone and specifies prior existence.

that came into being

Focuses on the act of creation or origination.

that has been created

Highlights the aspect of creation or construction.

that was ever present

Emphasizes the constant or continuous existence in the past.

that formerly lived

Specifically refers to living beings that existed in the past.

throughout history

Refers to the entire period of recorded human events.

FAQs

How can I use "that ever existed" in a sentence?

Use "that ever existed" to emphasize the superlative nature of something. For instance, "It was the most beautiful painting "that ever existed"".

What are some alternatives to using "that ever existed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that has ever been", "that existed at any time", or "that once was", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "that ever existed"?

Yes, "that ever existed" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the extent or duration of something's existence.

When should I avoid using the phrase "that ever existed"?

Avoid using "that ever existed" in contexts where the emphasis is unnecessary or the statement is trivial, as it can make your writing sound overly dramatic. Use it sparingly to maintain its impact.