even

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "even" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to emphasize a point or to refer to something that is unexpected or unexpected. For example: "I was surprised to find out that even my grandmother knows how to use a computer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Even the angel Gabriel would struggle to survive with that hanging over his head.

The Guardian

They have had enough of career politicians in three parties who don't even understand the problems they face in their everyday lives.

The Guardian

"But there is an even greater number of people, even though they were not enthusiastic about David Cameron or the Tories, who feel relieved that we are not in government.

The Guardian

Even in Beverly Hills.

The New York Times

"I don't even know what that means".

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps even more worrying to Mr. Assad, his military has come to rely more heavily on equipment designed for a major battle with a foreign enemy, namely Israel, rather than a protracted civil conflict with his own people.

The New York Times

But when equally unacceptable views or practices have come from someone who isn't white, we've been too cautious, frankly even fearful, to stand up to them".

The New York Times

"The whole category has been very euphemistic, or paternalistic even, and we're saying, enough with the euphemisms, and get over it.

The New York Times

The strain is likely to grow more acute as the government depends on helicopter gunships to extend its reach to parts of the country rendered impassable to logistics convoys and even armored vehicles by the rebels' improvised bombs.

The New York Times

"Sometimes I don't even notice I'm doing it.

The New York Times - Magazine

The questioning was, even by the standards of the garrulous current court, unusually intense and pointed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even" to highlight unexpected examples that support your argument. It adds emphasis and can make your point more convincing.

Common error

Avoid using "even" redundantly in comparative sentences. For example, instead of saying "It's even more better", say "It's even better" or "It's much better".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "even" primarily functions as an emphasizer, intensifying the force of the word or phrase it modifies. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage highlights something surprising or unexpected. Examples show "even" modifying nouns, verbs, and adjectives to add emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "even" functions primarily as an adverb to add emphasis or highlight something unexpected. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is grammatically correct and versatile, suitable for a wide array of contexts, particularly in news and media. The high source quality and numerous examples confirm its consistent usage and reliability. When writing, use "even" to make your points more persuasive by emphasizing surprising or noteworthy details. Avoid redundant comparative structures. Remember that alternatives like "indeed", "actually", and "in fact" can offer nuanced ways to express emphasis. Finally, while "even" is broadly applicable, its absence can often lead to more concise and direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in fact

This introduces a more specific or surprising detail that supports a previous statement.

exactly

This stresses accuracy or correctness, and is frequently used in response to a question or statement.

indeed

This confirms or emphasizes a previous statement, adding a sense of agreement or intensity.

precisely

This emphasizes exactness or accuracy, often used to confirm or correct a statement.

actually

This term emphasizes the truth or reality of a statement, often implying surprise.

really

This intensifies the degree or extent of something, expressing a high level of truth or importance.

still

This indicates something continues to be the case despite potential changes or expectations.

yet

This introduces something surprising or contrasting in addition to what has already been mentioned.

just

This indicates precision or exactness in relation to a particular time, amount, or degree.

to the point of

This phrase suggests that something has reached a certain degree or extreme.

FAQs

How can I use "even" in a sentence?

Use "even" to emphasize something surprising or unexpected. For example, "Even my brother, who hates sports, watched the game".

What words are similar to "even"?

Similar words include "indeed", "actually", and "in fact", which can also add emphasis or highlight a surprising element in a sentence.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "even"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to start a sentence with "even". This often places extra emphasis on the subject or idea immediately following "even".

What's the difference between "even" and "only"?

"Even" suggests surprise that something is included, while "only" emphasizes that something is exclusive. For example, "Even I couldn't solve it" implies surprise, while "Only I could solve it" emphasizes exclusivity.