even heard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even heard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize surprise or disbelief regarding something that has been said or done, often in a negative context. Example: "I can't believe he has never even heard of that movie; it's a classic!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He's even heard "Wally".

The New Yorker

Few have even heard of Saddam Hussein.

The Economist

Have you even heard of torrontés?

The New York Times - Food

Provided they have even heard about it.

The New York Times

Prince William was occasionally even heard.

The New York Times

"I even heard a Martha.

The New York Times - Sports

I've never even heard of a webcam".

The New York Times

I've even heard we get everyone in.

The New York Times

"I've never even heard of this guy.

The New Yorker

He hadn't even heard about Valentino's performance.

The New York Times

I'd even heard of Stravinsky and Balanchine.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even heard" to express surprise or disbelief when someone claims to be unaware of something well-known. For example: "I can't believe you've never "even heard" of The Beatles!"

Common error

Avoid using "even heard" when simply stating that someone heard something without the element of surprise. Instead, use "heard" or "listened".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even heard" functions as an intensifier preceding the verb "heard", emphasizing the speaker's surprise or disbelief that someone is not familiar with something. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable phrase to emphasize surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "even heard" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey surprise or disbelief that someone is unfamiliar with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's best used when you want to emphasize this sense of astonishment. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communicative settings. Remember to use it to highlight a surprising lack of awareness rather than simply stating that someone heard something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actually heard

Focuses on the reality of having heard something, adding emphasis.

really heard

Emphasizes the genuineness of the auditory experience.

ever heard

Indicates whether one has had any prior auditory experience of something.

so much as heard

Implies a minimal level of auditory exposure, often in negative contexts.

just heard

Indicates that something was recently heard.

even came to know

Shifts the focus to gaining knowledge, not just through hearing.

also heard

Suggests the addition of hearing to other experiences or knowledge.

merely heard

Highlights the simplicity of the auditory experience, often contrasting it with understanding.

even been told

Shifts the focus to having received information verbally, regardless of hearing.

even been informed

Focuses on the act of being formally notified.

FAQs

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

Use "even heard" to express surprise or disbelief, like in: "I'm shocked that he hasn't "even heard" of the new regulations."

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

"Heard" simply indicates that someone received auditory information. "Even heard" adds emphasis, often implying surprise that someone is unaware of something. For example, "I "heard" the news" versus "I'm surprised you haven't "even heard" the news".

What can I say instead of "even heard"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "actually heard", "really heard", or "ever heard".

Is it more correct to say "even heard of" or simply "heard of"?

"Even heard of" is used to express surprise that someone is unfamiliar with something. "Heard of" is a general inquiry about familiarity. Both are grammatically correct, but their usage depends on the context.