does not even

USAGE SUMMARY

"does not even" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express a negative opinion, usually following a phrase that suggests the opposite. For example: "He doesn't even know the basics of math."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It does not even matter.

The New York Times - Sports

He does not even have a girlfriend.

The Economist

He does not even like Twinkies.

The New York Times

It does not even smell of fish.

The Economist

Assange does not even have a home.

The New Yorker

It does not even require a doctor.

The New York Times - Health

He does not even sweat.

The Guardian - Sport

He does not even answer.

The New York Times - Books

Louise Richardson does not even arrive in spikes.

The New Yorker

Now he does not even try.

The Guardian - Books

The other does not even require trainers.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not even" to emphasize the absence of something expected or to express surprise at a lack of something. It adds a stronger negative connotation than simply saying something 'does not'.

Common error

While "does not even" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in formal writing where a more concise or sophisticated phrase might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "lacks" or "fails to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not even" functions as a negative intensifier, used to emphasize the absence of something expected or highlight a surprising lack. Ludwig AI validates its frequent use in diverse contexts. For example, "He does not even try."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not even" functions as a negative intensifier, frequently used to emphasize a surprising lack or absence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, especially in news and media. While widely accepted, overuse in formal writing should be avoided. Related phrases like "not even" and "lacks even" offer alternatives for diverse writing styles. Therefore, understanding its function and context ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't even

Contraction of 'does not even', maintaining the same meaning but in a more informal register.

not even

Shorter form, conveying a similar sense of negation or lack of something expected.

not so much as

Emphasizes the absence of even a small action or quality.

lacks even

Focuses on the deficiency or absence of something.

fails to even

Highlights a failure to reach a minimal expectation.

never mind

Indicates that something is not worth considering, similar to 'not even'.

let alone

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

to say nothing of

Used to introduce a more important point that the previous one.

much less

Indicates that something is even less likely or possible.

far from

Indicates the opposite of what might be expected.

FAQs

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

Use "does not even" to emphasize the absence of something expected or to express surprise at a lack of something. For example, "He "does not even know" the basics of the subject".

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

You can use alternatives like "not even", "lacks even", or "fails to even" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "does not even" or "doesn't even"?

"Does not even" and "doesn't even" are both correct, but "doesn't even" is a contraction and is more informal. Use "does not even" in formal writing and "doesn't even" in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "does not even" and "not even"?

"Does not even" is a more emphatic and complete expression, while "not even" is a shorter and slightly less formal way to express a similar sentiment. Both convey a lack of something, but "does not even" adds a stronger emphasis.