Ever: Less than half; More than half; Most people

[Guinevere]

(1) Less than half of the people think an earthquake will ever occur within this decade.

(2) More than half of the people think an earthquake will ever occur within this decade.

(3) Most people think an earthquake will ever occur within this decade.

Could you tell me which sentence are unnatural?

[Yankee]

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I don't think I'd use sentence (2) or (3). To me, the word 'ever' is inappropriate in both of those sentences and should either simply be removed or '(at) some time' (e.g.) could be used in these sentences instead.
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_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Lost_Soul]

Hi, Amy

I think maybe if we negate sentence 3, the use of "ever" will be justified ?

Most of people don't think an earthquake will ever occur within this decade

What do you think?

[Yankee]

Hi Alex

Yes, with that sort of negation in sentences 2 and 3, the word 'ever' would work.
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_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Guinevere]

Thanks Amy!

(2) More than half of the people think an earthquake will ever occur within this decade.

What if we add "slightly" in (2), like this:

(4) Slightly more than half of the people think an earthquake will ever occur within this decade.

[Yankee]

Hi Guinevere

No, adding the word 'slightly' doesn't change anything for me. You would need a word that has a more negative sense. Possibly this, for example:

(5) Only slightly more than half of the people think an earthquake will ever occur within this decade.
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_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln