even that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even that" is a valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a particular statement is true even despite some contradiction or counterpoint. For example: "Their chicken sandwich is delicious - even that one with the exotic condiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even that was bold.

The New Yorker

Even that didn't work.

The New Yorker

Even that is different.

The Economist

Even that was illuminating.

The New York Times - Sports

Even that sounds optimistic.

The Economist

Even that did not work.

The New York Times

And even that was hard!

The New York Times

Even that goal proved elusive.

The New York Times - Sports

But even that isn't enough.

The New York Times

But even that poses challenges.

The New York Times

Even that is not certain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even that" to introduce a surprising or unexpected consequence or situation, adding emphasis to the preceding statement. It's effective in highlighting ironies or unforeseen outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "even that" when the following statement is a logical or predictable result of the preceding one. "Even that" is best reserved for unexpected or ironic situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even that" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb in the clause that follows it. It serves to introduce a surprising or unexpected element, often highlighting a contrast with a preceding statement. As shown by Ludwig, this adverbial phrase often appears mid-sentence, emphasizing a specific point despite a conflicting or challenging circumstance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "even that" is a versatile tool for introducing unexpected or contrasting elements in a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. The phrase is particularly effective in emphasizing ironies or unforeseen outcomes, and alternatives like "despite that" or "in spite of that" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. While versatile, avoid using "even that" for expected outcomes, and consider the context to ensure the phrase enhances rather than confuses the message. Given the prevalence of examples from sources like The New York Times and The Economist, writers can confidently employ "even that" in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite that

Emphasizes the contrast or contradiction more strongly than "even that".

in spite of that

Highlights the unexpectedness of something happening regardless of a previous condition.

notwithstanding that

A more formal way of expressing "despite that".

even then

Shifts the focus to a specific point in time where something unexpected occurs.

yet still

Emphasizes the persistence of a situation despite expectations.

even so

A concise way to acknowledge a point while introducing a contrasting one.

all the same

Indicates that something remains true or valid despite a contrasting factor.

regardless

Highlights the lack of impact of a previous factor on the subsequent situation.

at that

Shorter version that focuses more on that specific thing, mostly used in informal register.

with all that

Highlights additional surprise or impact due to an already overwhelming context.

FAQs

How is "even that" used in a sentence?

The phrase "even that" is used to introduce a statement that is surprising or unexpected given the previous context. For example, "He studied for weeks, but "even that" wasn't enough to pass the exam."

What are some alternatives to "even that"?

Alternatives to "even that" include "despite that", "in spite of that", or "notwithstanding that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use a comma before "even that"?

Generally, a comma precedes "even that" when it introduces an independent clause. However, if it's integrated more closely into the sentence structure, the comma might be omitted.

How does "even that" differ from "even if"?

"Even that" implies that something has already occurred or is a known fact, whereas "even if" introduces a hypothetical situation. For example, "The car was expensive, but "even that" didn't deter him" (known fact) vs. "Even if the car is expensive, I will buy it" (hypothetical).