there ever has been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'there ever has been' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something has existed or occurred at any point in the past or throughout history. Example: "There ever has been a deep divide between the rich and the poor in our society, but recent efforts to address income inequality have shown progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"I think there is more video than there ever has been, and maybe that has to do with some of the scoring".

The New York Times - Sports

"And there is a larger microphone from the press to the public on these debates than there ever has been before".

The New York Times

"There's more production going on today in this country than there ever has been, by a factor of 10 or 20," he said.

The New York Times

Looking at the world rankings, there's more Europeans in the top 30 or top 50 in the world than there ever has been, and they're happy to come and travel and play golf, which is great.

The New York Times

Still, said Andy Bowman of Austin-based wind installer Pioneer Green Energy, "I do think there's more speculation than there ever has been that this might be the last extension".

The Guardian

Daniel Marks, director of PR agency The Communications Store, who represents London designers including Christopher Kane and Erdem, agrees there is pressure "probably more than there ever has been, but that isn't the reason something doesn't work, it's because a designer is not ably supported".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

We opined that it had been the sorriest spring there ever had been.

The New Yorker

Speaking at a Euromoney conference, he told Reuters that: I am quite sure that the panic situation, if there ever had been one, is over.

The Guardian - Business

Can there ever have been a greater slight on the sports-loving Aussies than an opposition trying to gee them up?

Independent

Can there ever have been a more ravishingly beautiful visual conundrum proposed by an artist in the Western tradition, so satisfying intellectually and visually?

Independent

Even if his personal circumstances had been different, would there ever have been a way to sustain such detail without completely breaking the attention spans of readers?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there ever has been" to emphasize that something is not a new phenomenon, but has existed at some point in the past. This can add historical context or weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "there ever has been" in situations where a simpler tense would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "there ever has been" is to introduce a statement that emphasizes the existence or occurrence of something at some point in the past. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it underscores the historical presence of a fact or phenomenon. The phrase often precedes a noun phrase, highlighting its enduring or recurring nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there ever has been" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to emphasize the past existence of something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, and example sentences demonstrate its application across various contexts. While suitable for neutral and somewhat formal registers, consider its impact on overall writing style to prevent overuse. Alternatives such as "always has been" or "has existed" may offer more concise options when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there has always been

This alternative focuses on continuous existence from the past until now.

there never has been

This expresses the opposite meaning, indicating that something has not existed at any point in the past.

there previously has been

Emphasizes that something existed at some earlier time.

there already has been

Highlights that something has happened before the present moment.

there still has been

Suggests that something continues to exist or occur despite other factors.

there may have been

Indicates possibility but not certainty of past existence or occurrence.

there might have been

Similar to 'there may have been', implies a possibility in the past.

there hardly has been

Indicates that something has barely existed or occurred.

there scarcely has been

Similar to 'there hardly has been', conveys a sense of rarity.

there uniquely has been

Suggests that something happened once and never again.

FAQs

How can I use "there ever has been" in a sentence?

Use "there ever has been" to emphasize that something has existed at some point in the past. For example, "There ever has been a debate about the role of government in healthcare" indicates the debate is not new.

What's a more concise alternative to "there ever has been"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "always has been", "has existed", or simply using the past perfect tense without the "there is/are" construction. The goal is to find the simplest formulation.

Is it correct to say "there never has been" instead of "there ever has been"?

Yes, "there never has been" is a valid phrase, but it expresses the opposite meaning. It indicates that something has not existed at any point in the past, whereas "there ever has been" confirms past existence.

When should I avoid using "there ever has been"?

Avoid using "there ever has been" when the past existence of something is already implied or obvious. Using it unnecessarily can make your writing sound awkward or repetitive. Consider alternatives like "previously" or "before".