even than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “even than” is correct in written English and can be used when comparing two similar things.
For example, “This test was even harder than I expected.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tom Brady, Malcolm Butler or maybe even Bill Belichick?

Independent

Even Stanislaus, even Pound.

The New Yorker

Howard Dean and even Ron Paul.

The New York Times

Even Goldman did.

The New York Times

Even Simon smiled.

The New York Times - Sports

Even Melanie stopped crying.

The New Yorker

Judges, even Justices, follow.

The New Yorker

Even Mariano Rivera's.

The New York Times - Sports

Not even Tim Tebow?

The New York Times

(c) Even Steve?

The New Yorker

Even Steve Jobs did, apparently.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even than" sparingly, favoring more common comparison phrases like "more than" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "even than" excessively in formal contexts; it may sound awkward or less polished compared to alternatives like "much more than".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even than" functions as a comparative conjunction, introducing a comparison that is surprising or unexpected. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, although examples are rare.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even than" is grammatically correct, serving as a comparative conjunction to emphasize a comparison. However, as Ludwig indicates, it is rarely used in modern English. More common alternatives like "more than" or "rather than" are generally preferred for clarity and naturalness. While acceptable, overuse of "even than" may sound awkward, particularly in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than

This alternative provides a direct comparison, simply stating that one thing exceeds another.

even greater than

This intensifies the comparison, emphasizing a significant difference in magnitude or degree.

much more than

This emphasizes the extent of the difference, indicating a considerable disparity between the compared items.

rather than

This suggests a preference or choice, indicating that one option is favored over another.

instead of

This offers a substitution, replacing one thing with another as an alternative.

as opposed to

This highlights a contrast or opposition, setting two things in direct conflict.

even if

This introduces a condition or concession, acknowledging a possibility that doesn't change the outcome.

even when

This indicates that something occurs regardless of the circumstances or timing.

let alone

This emphasizes the improbability of something by stating that even a more likely scenario is not the case.

rather better than

This suggests a clear distinction between the phrases.

FAQs

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

While grammatically correct, "even than" is not frequently used. Consider alternatives like "more than" or "even greater than" for clearer communication.

What are some alternatives to "even than"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "rather than", "instead of", or "as opposed to" to convey comparison or unexpectedness.

Is "even than" as common as "more than"?

No, "even than" is far less common than phrases like "more than". Opt for the latter in most situations to ensure your writing sounds natural and fluent.

What is the difference between "even than" and "even if"?

"Even than" is used for comparison, while "even if" introduces a conditional clause, suggesting that something will happen regardless of the condition. They serve different grammatical purposes.