Ever vs never
Ever is used in negative sentences, to express a doubt, or to ask a question. It is the opposite of always:
Don't ever talk to me like that! Never talk to me like that!
If you ever see him, tell him he still owes me money. If you see him at any time, tell him he still owes me money.
Have you ever heard of Flint Westwood? Do you know who Flint Westwood is?
Never and ever share similar meanings but are used differently. Never means 'at no time' and is a negative term, used in affirmative constructions (to avoid double negatives). Ever means 'at any time' and is generally not used in affirmative sentences (apart from the exception mentioned below).
I never want to see this boy in your bedroom again.
I don't ever want to see this boy in your bedroom again.
I do not want to see this boy in your bedroom in the future.
I don't ever want to see this boy in your bedroom again.
I do not want to see this boy in your bedroom in the future.
He has never seen a nose so big.
He hasn't ever seen a nose so big.
At no time in his life has he seen a nose so big.
He hasn't ever seen a nose so big.
At no time in his life has he seen a nose so big.
Exception: ever can be used in affirmative sentences after superlatives, or restrictive adjectives like only, first:
Harold Warbuckle is the most demanding client I have ever met. I have never met a more demanding client than Harold Warbuckle.
The first job I ever had was in a toothpaste factory. The job in the toothpaste factory was the very first one I had in my life.
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