Anytime' and 'ever'?

Question

Actually I am a non native English speaker, of course I may come across many confusion but I don't care of those much,but curious some times to know about the things. I know the meaning of 'Ever' which is 'At Anytime' and 'Always'. I found there is a slight difference between 'Ever' and 'Anytime' when we use this. Example: 1. you can come at anytime. ---> here 'Anytime' means a specific time of the day but not determined. 2. Have you ever seen this? ---> here 'Ever' says 'anytime', however any time of any day not any time of the particular day. Is that the way you think? Appreciate your response🙂

Answer 1

There are many connotations when using English, and they can be challenging to decipher. Although the dictionary definition of all three words (Ever, Anytime, & Always) are basically the same, they have different connotations. 'Ever' usually has much stronger emotion behind it, often used in the negative "Don't you ever come here again." "I can't ever trust you." It is often used in place of 'never'. There are instances where 'ever' can be used positively: "If I can ever help you, please let me know."; however, this usage is not as common in everyday spoken American English. 'Anytime' has a much more polite and friendly connotation. "You are welcome here anytime." "Anytime I can help you, please let me know." "I am available anytime."

The words can be interchanged and do not change the dictionary meaning, but the subtle connotations do change. The sentence structure would also change accordingly.

If I can ever help you, please let me know.

Anytime I can help you, please let me know.

I am always available to help you, please let me know if you need me.

-or-

Our home is always open.

Our home is open anytime.

Our home is forever open. (the compound word - for & ever is used here)

-or-

He is always late.

Anytime you invite him, he is late.

He is late, every time. (had to change the word, but keep the root)

Word choice can greatly impact the underlying meaning of everything that is communicated.