Which is correct:
"she never fails to make me laugh" or "she never failed to make me laugh"?

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she never fails to make me laugh

This phrase is correct.

"She never fails to make me laugh" signals that you think that someone is funny.

Some examples from our editors:

  • I love my girlfriend's sense of humor. She never fails to make me laugh.
  • That comedian is absolutely hilarious. She never fails to make me laugh.

Some alternatives from our editors:

  • She always makes me laugh.

she never failed to make me laugh

This phrase is correct.

"She never failed to make me laugh" suggests that the subject made you laugh in the past, but she doesn't make you laugh now.

This sentence might be used in the context of a breakup or a memorial service.

Some examples from our editors:

  • I wish we were still together. She never failed to make me laugh.
  • She was an incredibly funny woman. She never failed to make me laugh.

Some alternatives from our editors:

  • She always made me laugh.
"She never fails to make me laugh" tells listeners that the subject makes you laugh in the present.
"She never failed to make me laugh" tells listeners that the subject used to do this, but not now.
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Explained by Betsy
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 20, 2019

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