Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[fw]

I�m interested in the use of �ever� now.

Which, #1 or #2, is natural and grammatically correct?
1. Only 60 percent of the people living in Tokyo think that a big earthquake will occur there.
2. Only 60 percent of the people living in Tokyo think that a big earthquake will ever occur there.

If both are, what is the difference in nuance between the two?

fw

[lotus]

Hi fw,

Both are correct. The second sentence is more doubtful that an earthquake would occur in the near or far future.


--lotus

[fw]

Thank you, lotus.

Your reply really helps, but to make sure, let me ask you one follow-up question.

Which, #1 or #2, is natural and grammatically correct?
1. Less than half of the people living in Tokyo think that a big earthquake will occur there.
2. Less than half of the people living in Tokyo think that a big earthquake will ever occur there.


If both are, what is the difference in nuance between the two?

fw

[lotus]

Hi fw,

1A. Less than half of the people living in Tokyo think that a big earthquake will occur there.
2A. Less than half of the people living in Tokyo think that a big earthquake will ever occur there.

1B. Only 60 percent of the people living in Tokyo think that a big earthquake will occur there.
2B. Only 60 percent of the people living in Tokyo think that a big earthquake will ever occur there.

The only difference between A and B is the number of people who doubt that a big earthquake will occur.

The difference between 1 and 2 is the use of "ever."
1 says that the people doubt that a big earthquake will occur.
(They're not sure that it would happen, and they doubt that it will happen.)
2 says that the people doubt that a big earthquake would ever occur.
(They're pretty sure that it will never happen.)


--lotus