even been touched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even been touched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something has not been affected or altered in any way, often in a negative context. Example: "This ancient artifact has been preserved so well that it has never even been touched by human hands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some 340 tons haven't even been touched.

The New York Times

A lot has not even been touched for 100 years".

The New York Times

Some of the Rodin collection has never even been touched by the sculptor.

The New Yorker

Sony producers have been spuriously touting sometime Sinister Six member Venom for his own big screen adventures for the best part of a decade, but with Marvel owning the rights to dozens of comic book titles that have not yet even been touched upon on the big screen, the barrel-scraping can stop and the two studios can focus simply on making a great Spidey flick.

The Guardian - Film

Both models are expected to be available and unlocked, but how Pure Mobile will get around the SIM restrictions hasn't even been touched on.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Menstruation is not "woman trouble" – or even "being touched by the goddess".

The Guardian - Opinion

He moved it away, as if even being touched were painful.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I don't like to even be touched before I pitch.

The New York Times - Sports

Ask Vinny Testaverde, who went down without even being touched in the 1999 opener.

The New York Times - Sports

"We wanted to show that you can be assaulted without even being touched," Notaro told THR.

Huffington Post

If the harm from a 100% FNR (row 18) is acceptable, then the axilla need not even be touched.

Breast Cancer Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even been touched" to emphasize the complete absence of any contact, alteration, or impact on something. This intensifies the idea of preservation or lack of interference.

Common error

Avoid using "even been touched" in everyday conversations where a simpler phrase like "not touched" or "left alone" would suffice. Its emphatic nature is best reserved for situations where highlighting the complete absence of contact is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even been touched" typically functions as part of a predicate, emphasizing the absence of any physical contact or alteration. Ludwig AI shows that it underscores a state of being untouched or unaffected, as exemplified in the provided sentences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "even been touched" is a grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the complete absence of contact, alteration, or impact on something. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. The phrase serves to underscore a state of pristine condition or lack of interference. While "not been touched" is a simpler alternative, "even been touched" adds emphasis, making it suitable when highlighting the absolute lack of contact is crucial. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations needing strong emphasis rather than everyday conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never been touched

Implies a state of untouched purity or originality, similar to emphasizing the absence of alteration.

not been affected

Focuses on the lack of impact or influence on something.

remained untouched

Highlights the persistence of an unaltered state over time.

not been altered

Emphasizes the absence of modification or change.

not been tampered with

Suggests that something has been deliberately left alone and not interfered with.

left in pristine condition

Highlights that something remains undamaged or unspoiled

not been modified

Focuses on the lack of any change or adjustment.

not experienced any alteration

Emphasizes the absence of modifications or changes to something.

not suffered any change

Focuses on the absence of transformation or modification.

stayed the same

Implies that something has not undergone any change or transformation over time.

FAQs

How can I use "even been touched" in a sentence?

The phrase "even been touched" is used to emphasize that something has not been affected or altered in any way. For instance, "The original manuscript was so carefully preserved that it had not "even been touched" by human hands for centuries."

What does "even been touched" imply?

It suggests that something is completely unaltered, emphasizing its pristine condition or the complete absence of any interference or contact.

Are there situations where "not been touched" is preferable to "even been touched"?

Yes, "not been touched" is suitable for general statements about something being left alone. "Even been touched" adds emphasis, so it's best used when you want to highlight the absolute lack of contact or alteration.

What are some phrases similar in meaning to "even been touched"?

Alternatives include "never been touched", "not been affected", or "remained untouched", each conveying a slightly different nuance of being unaltered or undisturbed.