even as

USAGE SUMMARY

"even as" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is usually used to indicate a contrast between two things. For example, "Even as she struggled to get by, she still found time to help her neighbors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even as big as Christmas.

The Guardian

Make them even as close as possible.

WikiHow

CHICAGO — Even as Gov.

The New York Times

Even as the I.M.F.

The New York Times

Even as Rep.

The Economist

Cooley loved art even as a child.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps even, as I did, twice.

The New York Times - Books

Even as I write, strong aftershocks continue.

The New York Times

Even as also it might be.

The New Yorker

Even as he heard himself say it.

The New Yorker

Even as a grommet, he had standards.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even as" to effectively convey that two events are happening simultaneously, often with an element of surprise or contrast. For instance, "Even as the company faced financial difficulties, it continued to invest in research and development."

Common error

Avoid using "even as" when simple simultaneity is intended without any contrast or surprise. In such cases, "while" or "as" might be more appropriate. For example, instead of "Even as he walked, he listened to music," consider "As he walked, he listened to music" if there's no unexpected element.

Linguistic Context

"Even as" functions as a subordinating conjunction, primarily used to indicate that two events or conditions are occurring simultaneously. The phrase often introduces an element of surprise or contrast between the two simultaneous occurrences, as evidenced by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even as" functions as a versatile conjunction to link simultaneous events, often adding a layer of contrast or surprise. Ludwig AI confirms it is a grammatically sound phrase, commonly found in news and media, but is also acceptable in other contexts. It is vital to understand that the phrase should only be utilized to link actions that are happening at the same time, but with some sort of unexpected element. As an alternative, depending on the context and desired emphasis, users may consider using the expressions such as "while", or "just as".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while

This single-word conjunction is a simpler alternative, focusing on the simultaneous nature of events.

whilst

A more formal synonym for "while", indicating simultaneous actions or states.

at the same time that

A more explicit and wordy alternative, emphasizing the concurrent occurrence of events.

just as

Highlights the parallel nature of events happening simultaneously.

as

A shorter, more general conjunction that can indicate simultaneity depending on the context.

although

Shifts the focus to contrast or concession rather than strict simultaneity, but can sometimes be used similarly.

despite the fact that

Emphasizes the contrast or unexpectedness of one event happening in light of another.

notwithstanding that

A formal way to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies a previous statement.

in spite of the fact that

Similar to "despite the fact that", highlighting a contrast or obstacle.

even though

Another way to express concession or contrast, similar to "although".

FAQs

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

"Even as" indicates that two things are happening simultaneously, often with a sense of contrast or surprise. For example, "Even as the storm raged outside, the family gathered around the fireplace."

What are some alternatives to "even as"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "while", "just as", or "although". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize simultaneity or contrast.

Is there a difference between "even as" and "as"?

While both can indicate simultaneity, "even as" often implies a sense of surprise or contrast that "as" doesn't necessarily convey. "As" is a more neutral indicator of things happening at the same time.

When is it inappropriate to use "even as"?

It's best to avoid "even as" if there is no element of contrast, surprise, or unexpectedness in the simultaneous actions. In such cases, simpler conjunctions like "as" or "while" would be more suitable.