by even

USAGE SUMMARY

"by even" is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Instead, "even" is usually used as an adverb or conjunction to indicate a greater degree or intensity, or to emphasize an action. For example, you could say, "He worked hard, even on the weekends."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Earnings shrank by even more.

The New York Times

European flows have grown by even more.

The Economist

I'm very inspired by even Elvis.

The New York Times - Arts

It never misses by even a hair.

The New Yorker

It was followed by even more reports of similar fires.

The New York Times

In mainland China, they have risen by even more.

The Economist

Or by even never going out after work at all.

Independent

But its food production has grown by even more.

The Economist

But China's high investment is backed by even higher saving.

The Economist

The office market went up by even more.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Few passers-by even took notice.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Review your writing to ensure "by even" is used correctly. Consider alternative phrasing if the intended meaning is to intensify a comparison or highlight an unexpected element. The most common scenarios for 'even' is before the word it modifies.

Common error

Avoid placing "by" directly before "even" when intending to use "even" as an intensifier. For example, instead of saying "The results were surprising by even the experts", rephrase it as "Even the experts were surprised by the results."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by even" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, although its usage often deviates from standard grammatical conventions. Ludwig AI indicates it is an incorrect phrase in written english. However, the frequency of examples highlights its presence, though often misused, in various types of writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by even" is frequently found in various contexts, yet it often presents grammatical challenges. While it aims to emphasize a comparison or convey surprise, it frequently misplaces the word "even". As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase's grammatical status is often questionable. When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider restructuring your sentence or using alternative phrases like "even by". While its presence is widespread, mindful usage and attention to sentence structure are key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even by

Reverses the order, placing "even" before "by" to change the emphasis.

surpassed by

Suggests that something has exceeded expectations, indicating a higher degree of comparison.

exceeded by

Similar to 'surpassed by', emphasizing exceeding a particular level or degree.

outdone by

Implies that something has been outperformed or exceeded in a particular aspect.

eclipsed by

Indicates something has been overshadowed or made less significant by something else.

even if

Introduces a conditional element, indicating that something is true despite a particular circumstance.

even when

Similar to "even if", but focuses on a specific time or occasion.

especially by

Highlights that something is particularly affected or influenced by a certain factor.

particularly by

Similar to "especially by", emphasizing a notable influence or effect.

greatly by

Indicates a significant degree of impact or influence.

FAQs

What does "by even" mean, and is it grammatically correct?

While "by even" appears in various contexts, it's often not grammatically correct. The intended meaning is usually to emphasize an unexpected element or intensify a comparison, but "even" should typically be placed before the element it modifies. Consider alternatives for clarity.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "by even" incorrectly?

Often, you can rephrase by moving "even" to precede the noun or verb it's meant to emphasize. For example, instead of "The task was difficult by even experienced professionals", try "Even experienced professionals found the task difficult".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "by even"?

In many cases, "by even" is not the most precise or grammatically sound choice. Consider using alternatives like "even by" or restructuring the sentence to place "even" directly before the word it modifies for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "by even" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "even by", "surpassed by", or simply restructure the sentence to use "even" as an adverb modifying a specific word or phrase. The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.