grammar - Usage of "ever" in a negative statement

I know that "ever" can be used to express the strengthened negation but would it work like that?

I created a session but nobody ever joined.

Is it possible? It does not sound right to me. If not, what does this mean?

Answer

In the example you have given, "ever" serves two purposes. It does act to emphasise the negative as you have suggested. It also adds a temporal dimension to the sentence.

If you consider your sentence without "ever" it gives the impression of a one time event:

I created a session but nobody joined.

Whereas your sentence indicates that this has been happening for a substantial length of time and implies that it is unlikely to change:

I created a session but nobody ever joined.

Comments

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