are not even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not even" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something is not even a small amount or degree. Example: "The team was so disorganized that they are not even close to being ready for the game tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some are not even round.

The New York Times

These markets "are not even human anymore.

The New York Times

"Some are not even answering the phone".

The New York Times

But now they are not even whispered.

The New Yorker

Technically, they are not even city employees.

The New Yorker

We are not even talking about sexuality.

Independent

They are not even worth repeating.

The New York Times

They are not even new in India.

The Economist

And those are not even the earliest.

The New York Times

They are not even a family issue.

The New York Times

We are not even in the scene.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not even" to emphasize a lack or deficiency, making your statement more impactful. For example, "These results are not even close to meeting expectations."

Common error

Avoid using "are not even" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would improve clarity. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not even" functions as a negative intensifier, emphasizing the lack of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something doesn't reach a certain level or standard. It's used to express a strong form of negation or comparison.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are not even" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a lack or deficiency. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, with the majority of examples appearing in news and media. While generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives for sophisticated writing. When using this phrase, remember to focus on clarity and avoid overuse in complex sentences to maintain a strong and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not even

Uses "do" as an auxiliary verb to express negation with emphasis.

not remotely

Emphasizes the distance or lack of similarity.

nowhere near

Indicates a significant lack of proximity or achievement.

far from

Highlights the contrast between the actual state and the expected state.

not by any means

Strongly denies any possibility or connection.

not in the slightest

Emphasizes the minimal degree or absence of something.

not at all

A simple and direct way to express negation.

not so much as

Indicates the absence of even a small action or detail.

scarcely

Implies that something is barely the case.

by no means

This phrase offers a more emphatic way to express negation.

FAQs

How can I use "are not even" in a sentence?

Use "are not even" to emphasize a lack or deficiency. For instance, "They "are not even trying" to fix the problem" suggests a complete lack of effort.

What's a formal alternative to "are not even"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "do not remotely approach", "are far from", or "do not by any means meet" to convey a similar meaning with greater sophistication.

Is "aren't even" the same as "are not even"?

"Aren't even" is the contracted form of "are not even". They have the same meaning, but "aren't even" is more suitable for informal contexts, while "are not even" is appropriate for formal writing.

What words can I use instead of "are not even" to express negation?

You can use phrases like "not remotely", "nowhere near", or "far from" to express negation or deficiency in a different way.