but even then

USAGE SUMMARY

'but even then' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an expression used to emphasize a point or situation despite contrary evidence or expectations. For example, "The project involved a lot of challenges, but even then, we were able to meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But even then, be patient.

The New York Times

But even then, she had doubts.

The New York Times

But even then, I smiled at everyone.

The New York Times

But even then getting dressed was difficult.

The New Yorker

But even then, he might not.

The New York Times

But even then Tiberius was not recalled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But even then, its popularity was apparent.

The New York Times

But, even then, there were complicated undertones.

The New Yorker

But even then, this was unusual, too.

The New York Times

But even then, there's still something missing.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But even then, the difference is clear.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but even then" to introduce a surprising or unexpected outcome that contradicts the initial expectation. It adds emphasis to the subsequent statement.

Common error

Avoid using "but even then" when a simple "but" or "however" would suffice. "But even then" is best reserved for situations where there's a degree of surprise or unexpected persistence despite a previous condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but even then" functions as a concessive conjunction phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating that the second clause is true or happens despite what is stated in the first clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but even then" serves as a concessive conjunction, effectively highlighting a contrast or an unexpected outcome despite a preceding condition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, it is best reserved for situations where emphasis is desired, rather than simple contradictions. Consider alternatives like "yet even so" or "nevertheless" to fine-tune your expression. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet even so

Replaces "then" with "so", emphasizing the persistence despite the previous condition.

nevertheless

Offers a more formal single-word alternative to indicate contrast.

even so

Omits "but" and "then", focusing on the concessive aspect.

all the same

Highlights that things remain unchanged despite what has been mentioned.

despite that

Shifts the structure to emphasize the contrast with what precedes it.

however

Provides a simple, direct contrast but might lack the emphasis of "even then".

in spite of that

Replaces "but" with "in spite of", offering a more explicit concessive clause.

even under those circumstances

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the condition under which the subsequent event occurs.

and yet

Emphasizes the contrast, but is less focused on the temporal aspect.

that being said

Introduces a contrasting point after acknowledging the previous statement.

FAQs

How can I use "but even then" in a sentence?

Use "but even then" to introduce a situation that persists or occurs despite a previous condition or expectation. For example, "The weather was terrible, "but even then", they decided to go for a hike".

What's the difference between "but even then" and "however"?

"But even then" emphasizes a surprising or unexpected outcome despite a preceding condition, whereas "however" simply introduces a contrast. "However" is often less emphatic. For instance, "He studied hard; "however", he failed the exam" is less surprising than "He studied hard; "but even then", he failed the exam".

What are some alternatives to "but even then"?

Alternatives include "yet even so", "nevertheless", "even so", and "all the same". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of emphasis.

Is it always necessary to use "but" before "even then"?

While "but even then" is the common form, "even then" can be used on its own to similar effect, though the inclusion of "but" often strengthens the contrast. In most cases the phrase requires the leading conjunction. Therefore, ""even so"" might be more suitable.