that ever was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that ever was" is correct and is often used in written English.
It functions as an adverbial phrase expressing the idea that something is the utmost or most extreme example of its kind. For example, "This is the most delicious pie that ever was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

You were the best that ever was.

Huffington Post

20th century Vikings, the best technical team that ever was.

Huffington Post

Youthful enthusiasm is contagious, ask every ad agency that ever was.

Huffington Post

Rarest ballad that ever was seen.

Yale University

It is the biggest Santa Claus that ever was.

The New Yorker

The rarest ballad that ever was seen : of the blind beggar's daughter of Bednal-Green.

Yale University

In an interview this week, he called the technique the "junkiest junk science that ever was".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

If that ever were the case, it isn't now.

The Guardian - Opinion

How could that ever be a good idea?

The New York Times - Sports

How could a subject like that ever be boring?

The Guardian

Never never never never never should that ever be accepted.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that ever was" to emphasize the uniqueness or superlative quality of something. It adds a touch of historical or timeless significance.

Common error

Avoid using "that ever was" too frequently in contemporary writing, as it can sound archaic or overly dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives in everyday contexts to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that ever was" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify it as the ultimate or most extreme example. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that ever was" is a grammatically sound relative clause used to emphasize the superlative nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various domains. While it's most commonly found in News & Media and Academia, its presence extends to Encyclopedias, Science, and other fields. To maintain a contemporary tone, consider using simpler alternatives in casual contexts. The phrase adds emphasis and, in the right context, a touch of historical depth. Ludwig's analysis shows that it serves to highlight something's uniqueness or significance, imbuing it with a sense of timeless quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that has ever existed

Focuses on the existence rather than a state of being.

that has ever been

Emphasizes a continuous state from the past to the present.

that existed before

Highlights prior existence, often in contrast to the present.

that came before

Suggests a sequence or order, emphasizing precedence.

that preceded this

More formal and emphasizes a direct sequence.

that happened previously

Focuses on an event occurring before the current one.

that occurred before

Similar to 'happened previously' but slightly more formal.

that was present earlier

Emphasizes the earlier presence of something.

that was there before

Simple and direct way to indicate something existed earlier.

that once existed

Highlights that something existed in the past but no longer does.

FAQs

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

Use "that ever was" to emphasize something's unique status or superlative quality, as in, "This is the finest example "that ever was"."

What are some alternatives to "that ever was"?

You can use alternatives such as "that has ever existed", "that has ever been", or "that once existed" depending on the context.

Is the phrase "that ever was" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that ever was" is grammatically correct and is often used in written English to express the idea that something is the utmost or most extreme example of its kind.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "that ever was"?

It's appropriate to use "that ever was" when you want to add emphasis or a sense of historical significance to your statement, particularly when describing something superlative or unique.