even precocious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even precocious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone, typically a child, who shows advanced abilities or intelligence beyond their age, often in a surprising or unexpected way. Example: "She was not just talented in music; she was even precocious, composing her own songs by the age of six."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Voting to let the country fall off the cliff was an audacious, even precocious, move by the Democratic golden boy and presidential pet — one that, oddly, put him on the side of Marco Rubio and Rand Paul rather than Obama and Joe Biden.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even a precocious 8-year-old.

The New York Times

A few individuals with progeria are intellectually disabled, but most have normal intelligence and may even be precocious.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mendelssohn was an even more precocious compositional prodigy than Knussen; he wrote the Octet, perhaps his most perfect piece, at the tender age of sixteen.

The New Yorker

Even if precocious English teenagers fall out of Tinseltown fashion, you suspect Poulter will still be hearing plenty from casting agents.

Independent

Possessed of perfect pitch, he played and composed for the xylophone from the age of 12, but was even more precocious in astronomy.

The Guardian

She has the bad luck to have an even more precocious sister who exposed her cantankerous habits in a documentary, Joy of Madness.

The Guardian - Film

We're all happy for him, even his precocious little brother, who, of course, is asking why he can't go to the N.B.A., too.

The New York Times - Sports

During a post-production discussion, some students even showed precocious signs of the kind of self-possession that sets the opera greats apart.

The New York Times

Oh, sure: Plenty of Silent Generation members, Gen Xers, Millennials and maybe even a precocious Gen Zer or two on the Yahoo payroll will be heading to post offices next week to file their taxes.

The New York Times

This may reflect the fact that in some of those countries the number of people having their first sexual experience before the age of 15 also declined, and that even the precocious seem to be using condoms more frequently.There is good news from Asia, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a child, use "even precocious" to highlight that their abilities or understanding go beyond what is expected for their age. It adds an element of surprise or emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "even precocious" in excessively formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "advanced" or "highly developed" might be more appropriate. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less serious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even precocious" functions as an intensifier (even) modifying an adjective (precocious). It serves to emphasize the unexpected or remarkable nature of someone's early development or abilities. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even precocious" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone whose abilities or understanding are surprisingly advanced for their age. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is usable in various contexts, particularly in news and media, though it may be less appropriate for strictly formal writing. Alternatives include "remarkably advanced" and "surprisingly gifted". Use "even precocious" to emphasize the unexpected nature of someone's early talent, but be mindful of the register to ensure it fits the overall tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkably advanced

Focuses on the level of advancement rather than the unexpected aspect.

surprisingly gifted

Highlights the unexpected nature of the talent.

distinctly advanced

Stresses the advancement, slightly more formal.

exceptionally talented

Emphasizes the talent level, but less on the age appropriateness.

particularly gifted

Focuses more on talent than the surprising nature of it.

unusually intelligent

Specifically addresses intelligence, omitting other possible areas of precociousness.

extraordinarily clever

Focuses on cleverness, a specific type of intelligence.

noticeably ahead

Indicates being ahead of peers, more general than precocious.

strikingly mature

Highlights maturity, which may not always correlate with precociousness.

highly developed

Focuses on the extent of development, less about early appearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "even precocious" to describe someone who displays skills or understanding far beyond what is typically expected for their age. For example, "She was not just talented in music; she was "even precocious", composing her own songs by the age of six."

What are some alternatives to "even precocious"?

Alternatives include "remarkably advanced", "surprisingly gifted", or "exceptionally talented", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "even precocious" or "very precocious"?

"Even precocious" suggests a level of surprise or unexpectedness in addition to the precociousness, while "very precocious" simply emphasizes the degree of precociousness. The choice depends on the context and the intended emphasis.

What does it mean to describe someone as "even precocious"?

To describe someone as "even precocious" means they not only show abilities or intelligence beyond their age, but that this level of advancement is particularly noteworthy or surprising.