even a king

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even a king" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something applies universally, regardless of status or power, often to highlight an unexpected situation or outcome. Example: "In this situation, even a king can feel powerless against the forces of nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Nobody, not even a king, could imprison someone without cause.

The New Yorker

In the end, all even a king could do was buy him a house and admire him.

The New Yorker

Thus, by implication, even a king was capable of committing treason: here was the germ of the charge on which Charles was to be executed in 1649.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Aldag, 64, is the widow of Vitas Luckus, once a prince — perhaps even a king — of the Soviet photography scene.

The New York Times

Thus our homes are still our castles, into the most humble of which not even a king may pass without the owner or occupier's consent.

The New York Times

Not that he needed any reminding at that point what was happening, but you could almost see him thinking, even a king needs to sit down for a few minutes, guys.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The bedroom was large enough for a queen- or even a king-size bed and had two closets.

The New York Times

They do not even have a king of their own to dispense orders.

Harvard Business Review

Even if a king (theoretically of Kshatriya descent) was not of noble descent, he was still clothed with divine authority as an upholder of dharma.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The key point is that the Khazar king recognizes that there is no compelling evidence or argument to establish that the justice of India's people is due to their king or that they even have a king.

SEP

While it is not clear from the Historia Brittonum and the Annales Cambriae that Arthur was even considered a king, by the time Culhwch and Olwen and the Triads were written he had become Penteyrnedd yr Ynys hon, "Chief of the Lords of this Island", the overlord of Wales, Cornwall and the North.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even a king" to underscore a point about universal applicability or to highlight an unexpected limitation, showing that no one is exempt from a particular situation or condition.

Common error

Avoid using "even a king" in every situation where you want to emphasize a point. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic. Consider more specific or nuanced language depending on your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even a king" primarily functions as an emphasizer. It highlights that if a condition applies to someone as powerful as a king, it logically applies to everyone else. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even a king" serves to emphasize that certain conditions or limitations apply universally, regardless of social status or power. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in various writing styles. Its effectiveness lies in highlighting unexpected circumstances or the broad reach of a particular truth. Although "even a king" appears more commonly in news and media sources, you might want to use alternatives like "including royalty" or "even the monarch" in contexts that call for more specific or nuanced language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even the monarch

Replaces "king" with a synonym for ruler, implying similar power.

despite royal status

Highlights the contrast between expectation and reality due to royal standing.

even emperors

Replaces "king" with emperor, another powerful ruler.

including royalty

Focuses specifically on those of royal status, adding more context than a general 'king'.

including the sovereign

Specifically emphasizes inclusion of the sovereign leader.

kings included

Highlights kings as part of a larger group or list.

regardless of rank

Emphasizes social status rather than a specific person.

princes included

Highlights princes as part of a larger group or list.

monarchs included

Highlights monarchs as part of a larger group or list.

no matter how powerful

Shifts focus from a specific figure to power, a broader concept.

FAQs

How can I use "even a king" in a sentence?

You can use "even a king" to show that something applies universally, regardless of status. For instance, "In the face of mortality, "even a king" is powerless" emphasizes that death comes for everyone.

What does the phrase "even a king" imply?

The phrase "even a king" implies that the subject being discussed applies to all people, regardless of their social standing. It suggests that if the most powerful person is not immune, then no one is.

What are some alternatives to using "even a king"?

Alternatives include phrases like "including royalty", "even the monarch", or "no matter how powerful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "even a king"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The structure "even + noun phrase" is a common way to emphasize universality. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.