but not even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a point, often indicating that something is less than expected or that a situation is more extreme than previously stated. Example: "I thought I could run a mile, but not even a quarter of that distance was possible for me today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not even this is assured.

The Economist

But not even the head Gangster's!

The New Yorker

But not even that worked.

The New York Times - Sports

But not even this quite does it.

The Guardian - Books

Nice, but not even a dollar.

The Guardian

But not even he is anywhere near the "C" chapter.

The New York Times - Books

But not even she seemed quite certain what "It" was.

The Economist

But not even Human Rights Watch quibbles with the numbers.

The Economist

But not even they could do it often enough.

The New York Times - Arts

But not even that honor was to be mine.

The New York Times - Arts

But not even this was updated for the fourth quarter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not even" to highlight a surprising or unexpected limitation, adding emphasis to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "but not even" in simple sentences where a straightforward negative statement would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not even" functions as a conjunction introducing a statement that contrasts with or limits a previous statement. It emphasizes that something unexpected or surprising is the case, often implying a sense of disappointment or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not even" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a surprising or limiting statement that contrasts with a previous one. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and suitable for use in writing. With its neutral register and common occurrence across diverse sources, including news, academic texts, and general writing, this phrase provides a useful way to add emphasis and highlight unexpected outcomes. When writing, be mindful of overusing it in simple sentences, but otherwise, feel free to employ it to add a touch of surprise or disbelief to your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet not even

Emphasizes a contrast, similar to "but not even", while highlighting an unexpected limitation.

however not even

Uses "however" to introduce a stronger contrast before the limitation.

even so not

Inverts the order to "even so" to show concession before negation.

still not even

Emphasizes the continuing lack despite prior conditions.

nevertheless not even

Introduces a formal contrast despite what precedes.

nonetheless not even

Similar to "nevertheless", but with a slightly different nuance of contrast.

not even remotely

Strengthens the negation by specifying a lack of any connection.

far from it

Indicates a complete contradiction of what was implied.

not in the slightest

Emphasizes that something is absolutely not the case.

by no means

Indicates something is certainly not true or possible.

FAQs

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

The phrase "but not even" is used to introduce a surprising limitation or contrast. For example, "I tried my best, "but not even" that was enough" shows that despite the effort, the result was still insufficient.

What phrases are similar to "but not even"?

Similar phrases include "yet not even", "however not even", and "still not even". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include "but" before "not even"?

While "but" is common, it's not strictly necessary. You can sometimes use "not even" on its own to emphasize a point, although including "but" often provides better flow and context.

Can "not even" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

While less common, you can start a sentence with "not even" for emphasis. For example, "Not even the experts could predict what would happen next." Be mindful of sentence structure for clarity.