'Ever' in Questions

Ever is an adverb.

「ever」是副詞。

In an Ask a Teacher years ago, we explained several meanings of ever.

多年前在「問老師」節目中，我們曾解釋過「ever」的多種含義。

One meaning is at any time.

其中一種含義是「在任何時候」。

The word often appears in the phrase when someone is asking a question.

這個字常出現在有人提問的片語中。

For example, have you ever been to Zanzibar?

例如：你有去過桑給巴爾嗎？

What is the best movie you have ever seen?

你看過最棒的電影是什麼？

The difference in usage of ever in a question is so small that you might not even notice at first, but it is important to fully understand the meaning of will ever be able to.

疑問句中「ever」的用法差異非常微小，你可能一開始甚至察覺不到，但要完全理解「will ever be able to」的意義，這一點很重要。

Often we use ever in questions such as "Have you ever," to add emphasis or strength to a sentence.

我們常在疑問句中使用「ever」，例如「Have you ever...」，以加強語氣或增強句子力度。

We might use ever if we expect people to agree with us or have the same answer.

當我們預期對方會同意我們的看法或有相同的答案時，可能會使用「ever」。

For example, "Have you ever heard a better definition?"

例如：你有聽過更好的定義嗎？

Have you ever been yelled at for just asking a question?

你有因為只是提問而被大聲斥責過嗎？

In these examples, ever shows a strong feeling.

在這些例子中，「ever」表達了強烈的情感。

We can also use ever with a question we believe will have a negative answer or feeling, and we might not even expect an answer.

我們也可以在預期會得到負面答案或帶有負面情緒的疑問句中使用「ever」，甚至可能並不期待對方回答。

For example: Did you ever think about me?

例如：你有想過我嗎？

Will I ever be able to climb Mount Everest?

我永遠能登上珠穆朗瑪峰嗎？

In these examples, we use "ever" because we think the answer is no.

在這些例子中，我們使用「ever」是因為我們認為答案是「否」。

And we may not expect anyone to actually answer the question.

而且我們可能也不期待任何人真的回答這個問題。

We hope this explanation has helped you fully understand the meaning of "will ever be able to," Antoine.

Antoine，希望這項說明能幫助你完全理解「will ever be able to」的意義。

Do you have a question about American English?

你有關於美式英語的問題嗎？

Send us an email at learningenglish at voanews. Com.

請寄電子郵件至 learningenglish@voanews.com。

And that's Ask a Teacher.

以上就是「問老師」。

I'm Gina Bennett.

我是吉娜·班奈特。