do not even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not even" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize a point, often indicating disbelief or strong emotion regarding a situation. Example: "I can't believe you would do that; you do not even care about the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Occasionally, employees do not even show up.

The New York Times

His men do not even have binoculars.

The Economist

"So our grandchildren do not even know".

The New York Times

You do not even have wood".

The New York Times

Most cooks do not even try.

The New York Times

Some variants do not even look similar.

The Economist

In fact, they do not even exist.

The Economist

I do not even believe in Ireland.

The New Yorker

I do not even have a 'double.'.

The New York Times - Magazine

Viewers do not even see her corpse.

The New York Times - Arts

Many do not even have prenatal care.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not even" to express disbelief or to emphasize the absence of something in a situation. For instance, "I can't believe you didn't call; you "do not even" have my number!"

Common error

Avoid using "do not even" when a simple negation suffices. Instead of "I "do not even" like pizza", use "I don't like pizza" for a more straightforward statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not even" functions as an emphatic negator. It's used to express disbelief, surprise, or to strongly emphasize the absence of something. Ludwig AI validates this function, demonstrating its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not even" is a versatile phrase used for emphatic negation, often expressing disbelief or surprise. As validated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently across various contexts, including news, science, and informal communications. While "do not even" is widely accepted, its usage should be tailored to the context, avoiding overuse in situations where simpler negation would suffice. Its register ranges from neutral to informal, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. Remember to consider alternatives like "not even" or "don't even" based on the desired level of emphasis and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

don't even

Contraction of "do not even", more informal.

not even

Shorter form emphasizing the lack of something.

do not so much as

Emphasizes the absence of even a small action or degree.

doesn't even

Third-person singular form.

without even

Indicates something happens without a prior action or consideration.

never mind

Suggests something is not worth considering or mentioning.

let alone

Used to indicate that something is even less likely than something else.

far from it

Expresses the opposite of what was previously stated.

by no means

Strongly denies something.

certainly not

Expresses a firm negation.

FAQs

How to use "do not even" in a sentence?

Use "do not even" to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis that something is not happening or present. For example, "They "do not even speak to her" after the argument."

What is the difference between "do not even" and "not even"?

"Do not even" is more emphatic than "not even". While both express negation, "do not even" often implies disbelief or strong emotion. "I "do not even know" where to start" is stronger than "I not even know where to start" (grammatically incorrect).

What can I say instead of "do not even"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "don't even", "not even", or "do not so much as" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "do not even"?

While grammatically correct, overuse can weaken your writing. If simple negation suffices, avoid "do not even". Also, ensure the phrase fits the tone; it's less suitable in very formal contexts where a more neutral expression might be preferred.