Never or not … ever?

We can use not … ever instead of never, but never is much more common:

She has never been a friend of ours. (or, less common, She hasn’t ever been a friend of ours.)

Never forget where you came from, your family, your childhood friends. (or, less common, Don’t ever forget where you came from …)

A:

Why don’t you go to college and get a degree?

B:

I haven’t really ever thought about it. I’m too old now anyway. (or, more common, I’ve never really thought about it.)