but even what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but even what" is not standard in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in a context where you are contrasting or emphasizing a point, but it typically requires additional information to clarify its meaning. Example: "I thought I understood the situation, but even what I believed to be true was misleading."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But even what little was required she did not know how to do.

The New Yorker

And by reality I don't mean just world events but even what we are looking at.

The New York Times

After his death, the collection was partly dispersed, but even what is left is as exhilarating as it is bewildering.

The New York Times - Arts

Not just the nighttime people that I'm sort of a parody of, not just the opinion-making people, but even what is left of straight news".

The New York Times

But even what has emerged so far will provide accountants and legislators with more than enough to work on for the next few years.

The Economist

I will never stop learning from trees, but even what I have learnt so far under their leafy canopy exceeds anything I could ever have dreamt of.

The Telegraph

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But may even what we call "history" itself be falsified?

The Guardian

But now, even what was left of official clarity after the "embedding" admission is no more.

The Guardian - Opinion

But that's not even what matters.

The New York Times

But that isn't even what Trump's saying.

The Washington Post

But, Judge White said, "even what are considered minor charges can be very serious in terms of public safety.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing for clarity. Sometimes, more direct language can improve understanding and flow.

Common error

Avoid using "but even what" if the reference to "what" is unclear or not immediately obvious. This can lead to confusion and require the reader to backtrack to understand the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but even what" functions as a conjunctive phrase introducing a contrast or limitation. It emphasizes that even the mentioned aspect, often a minimal or unexpected one, is subject to the condition being described. As highlighted by Ludwig, clarity is key when using this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but even what" is a conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast or limitation, often emphasizing an unexpected or minimal aspect. While grammatically acceptable, its clarity can be questionable, as noted by Ludwig. It appears most frequently in news and science contexts, maintaining a neutral register. For improved clarity, consider alternatives such as ""but even that"" or restructuring your sentence. Remember, the key is to ensure that the reference to "what" is clear and unambiguous. Ensure context defines 'what' clearly and use direct language for better understanding. As Ludwig AI underlines in its analysis, prioritize clarity to avoid confusion and enhance comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but even what little

Highlights the small amount or degree of something that is still impactful.

but even that which

Emphasizes the specific thing being referred to with "that which".

but even with what

Implies that despite certain circumstances, something still applies.

but even in what

Focuses on the context or situation where something occurs unexpectedly.

but even given what

Highlights the fact that something is already known or understood.

yet even what

Replaces "but" with "yet" to provide a slightly stronger sense of contrast.

but even considering what

Explicitly includes the act of considering something before introducing a contrast.

however, even what

Introduces a stronger contrast using "however" for emphasis.

but even regarding what

Emphasizes the subject or topic under discussion.

but even concerning what

Similar to "regarding", but with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but even what" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives such as "but even that", "but even what little", or structuring your sentence to be more direct depending on the context. For example, instead of "But even what I knew was wrong", try "But even that knowledge was incorrect".

Is "but even what" grammatically correct?

The phrase "but even what" is grammatically acceptable, but it can sometimes sound awkward or vague. It's often better to rephrase for clarity.

What does "but even what" emphasize in a sentence?

The phrase "but even what" often emphasizes a surprising or unexpected limitation, condition, or contrast in relation to something already mentioned. It suggests that even the most basic or minimal aspects are affected.

In what contexts is "but even what" most commonly used?

Based on the examples, "but even what" appears frequently in news articles and scientific writing. However, it's important to ensure the phrase is clear and contributes to the overall understanding. If the phrase is vague or unclear, you can use "but even that" as an alternative.