there ever are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there ever are" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect to many readers.
It could be used in a very specific context, perhaps in poetic or philosophical writing, but it is generally not recommended for clear communication. Example: "In moments of doubt, one wonders if there ever are answers to the questions we seek."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"If there ever are final versions".

The New York Times - Magazine

The BBC is to get a slice of the profits, if there ever are any.

The Economist

There are no ads there yet; if there ever are, it will become a gantlet of solicitation.

The New York Times - Arts

Not for a while, but if there ever are plans for a "lower-end" iPhone, that might be the time to allow for more flexibility in its operating system.

TechCrunch

When the antecedent of a conditional contains a mass noun, negative quantifiers, or certain kinds of modified quantifier phrases, quantification over minimal situations or events seems to yield unwelcome results or isn't possible at all: 28(a) raises the question whether there ever are minimal situations or events in which snow falls.

SEP

"Obviously, there were just as many intelligent and ambitious and dynamic women back then as there ever are, but there were so many restraints," Fellowes says.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The greatest brain myth there ever was?

The Guardian - Film

The best clutch player there ever was.

The New York Times - Sports

"That is the only answer there ever is".

The Guardian - Books

"He is the worst guard dog there ever was".

The New York Times

Has there ever been?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there ever are" to emphasize the uncertainty or infrequency of the condition being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "there ever are" in contexts where a straightforward statement of fact is needed. This phrasing is best reserved for scenarios where the possibility is genuinely uncertain or unlikely.

Linguistic Context

Conditional marker. The phrase "there ever are" functions as a conditional marker, typically found within 'if' clauses or similar constructions. It raises a question about the possibility of certain conditions being met, similar to the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there ever are" is an uncommon conditional expression used to convey uncertainty about a future or hypothetical situation. As highlighted by Ludwig, its grammatical status is acceptable, though it may sound awkward or unusual to some. Its primary contexts are in news, media and science. Consider more common alternatives such as "if there are ever" or "should there ever be" for improved clarity. While grammatically sound, "there ever are" is best reserved for scenarios where you specifically want to emphasize the unlikelihood or uncertainty of the condition being discussed, as directly suggested by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if there are ever

Reverses the word order for a more conventional phrasing.

if there should ever be

Adds a layer of conditionality and possibility.

in the event that there are

Introduces a formal and explicit conditional clause.

should there ever be

Uses an inverted conditional structure for emphasis.

if there happen to be

Emphasizes the element of chance or coincidence.

if ever there exist

Uses a more formal and less common verb.

assuming there are

Presents a scenario as a given assumption.

if in the future there are

Explicitly refers to a future possibility.

on the off chance that there are

Highlights the low probability of the condition.

given that there are

Establishes a condition based on a present state.

FAQs

How can I use "there ever are" in a sentence?

Use "there ever are" to express a conditional or hypothetical situation, often implying uncertainty. For example, "If "there ever are" final versions, we'll let you know."

What's a more common way to say "there ever are"?

Alternatives include "if there are ever" or "should there ever be", which are generally more conventional and widely understood.

Is "there ever are" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable, "there ever are" is not as common as other conditional phrasings. Ludwig AI indicates it may sound awkward to some, suggesting alternatives like "if there are ever".

What's the difference between "there ever are" and "if there are"?

"There ever are" places emphasis on the uncertainty or infrequency of the condition, whereas "if there are" is a more general conditional statement. The former is less frequently used and can sound more unusual.