even to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an extreme or unexpected condition or situation, often emphasizing the extent of something. Example: "He was willing to sacrifice everything, even to be alone in the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or even to be sexual.

The New Yorker

Alarie was shocked even to be invited to the tryout.

Princeton University

They lack the tools even to be realistic.

The New York Times - Books

It seems even to be favourable to generation.

The Economist

And even to be part of that would be unbelievable.

Independent

It's too late now, even to be afraid,.

The New Yorker

As our enemies, they are lucky even to be alive.

The New York Times

He was willing even to be offended on my behalf.

The Guardian - Books

Scott Burrell was lucky even to be on the court.

The New York Times - Sports

They've been reluctant even to be proud of it".

The Guardian

"There is nothing even to be debated about that.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "even to be", ensure that the sentence maintains a clear and logical flow. The phrase should naturally connect to the preceding and following clauses.

Common error

Avoid using "even to be" in simple or straightforward situations where it adds unnecessary complexity. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a surprising or extreme condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even to be" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to introduce a surprising or unexpected condition or outcome. It typically modifies a verb or clause, adding emphasis to the extent or degree of something. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it is commonly employed to introduce surprising or unexpected conditions across various contexts. Its usage spans from news and media to academic writing, with a neutral register. While versatile, it is most effective when highlighting extreme or unexpected outcomes, avoiding overuse in simple scenarios. Consider alternatives like "even if" or "much less to be" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much less to be

Indicates something is even less likely than what was previously mentioned.

let alone to be

Similar to "much less to be", emphasizing the unlikelihood of something.

even if

Replaces the infinitive phrase with a conditional conjunction, focusing on a hypothetical situation.

even when

Similar to "even if", but emphasizes a specific time or circumstance.

possibly to be

Replaces "even" with "possibly", softening the degree of unexpectedness.

potentially to be

Focuses on the potential or possibility of something occurring.

even so to be

Acknowledges a previous statement but introduces a contrasting situation.

conceivably to be

Highlights the conceivability or imaginability of a situation.

if at all to be

Introduces a strong element of doubt or uncertainty.

just to be

Indicates the action or state is merely intended or limited to the situation being described.

FAQs

How can I use "even to be" in a sentence?

The phrase "even to be" is used to introduce an unexpected or surprising outcome or condition. For example, "He was willing to sacrifice everything, "even to be" alone."

What are some alternatives to "even to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "even if", "even when", or "much less to be".

Is there a difference between "even to be" and "just to be"?

Yes, "even to be" implies a surprising or unexpected condition, while "just to be" suggests that the action or state is merely intended or limited to the situation being described.

When is it inappropriate to use "even to be"?

Avoid using "even to be" in simple or straightforward sentences where it adds unnecessary complexity. It is most effective when highlighting a surprising or extreme condition. If used in scenarios that don't have those characteristics, then it's better to use alternatives like "possibly to be" or "potentially to be".