even we could

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even we could" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express surprise or disbelief at a possibility or accomplishment. Example: "Even we could see that the project was bound for failure." or "Even we could hear the loud music from our neighbor's party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Even we could tell that.

The New Yorker

" 'Trump... Tower.' Even we could figure that one out".

The New Yorker

In French that even we could understand, he urged us to ' Courez vite'.

The Guardian - Travel

We were knuckleheads, and many of us were high, but even we could tell that long ago the place had lost its ability to perform that most basic, essential function of a cool rock club: booking cool rock bands.

The New York Times - Style

"But even we couldn't come up with something like this".

The New Yorker

"We locked eyes at our best friends' wedding, and it became apparent that, for reasons even we couldn't understand, we would end up together," Amanda said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I don't even think we could have even focused on it," she recalled Tuesday.

Los Angeles Times

Even though we couldn't vote.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Even now we could push them out," the commander said.

The New York Times

Even now, we could be much tougher than we are.

The New Yorker

Is it even something we could feasibly prepare for?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even we could" to express a surprising capability or understanding, especially when contrasting with assumed limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "even we could" when there's no element of surprise or when the capability is entirely expected. Using it in such contexts can make the statement sound awkward or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even we could" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing an element of surprise or unexpected capability. It modifies a statement, suggesting that the ability or understanding was not anticipated, even by the speakers themselves, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even we could" is a conjunction phrase used to express surprise or unexpected capability. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its primary function is to highlight a contrast between perceived limitations and actual abilities. This phrase is versatile and can be found in various contexts, but is particularly common in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure there is a genuine element of surprise and the context is appropriate to convey humility or unexpected competence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even we were able to

Replaces "could" with "were able to", focusing on past ability.

we were even capable of

Emphasizes capability using "capable of", highlighting a surprising ability.

even we managed to

Focuses on successful completion using "managed to", implying effort and surprise.

we even had the capacity to

Highlights inherent capacity or potential, making it slightly more formal.

even for us, it was possible to

Rephrases to emphasize possibility and include a more explicit comparison.

surprisingly, we could

Adds "surprisingly" to directly express the element of surprise.

even we were in a position to

Indicates being in a favorable situation or circumstance allowing for action.

it's astonishing that even we could

Adds an introductory clause emphasizing astonishment.

we are surprised we could

Directly states the feeling of surprise at being able to do something.

we, of all people, could

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the ability due to the speaker's perceived limitations.

FAQs

How can I use "even we could" in a sentence?

Use "even we could" to express surprise that you or your group are capable of something, often implying that others might not expect it. For instance, "Even we could understand the complex instructions."

What does "even we could" imply about the speaker?

It suggests that the speaker or the group they belong to may have limitations or lower expectations, making their capability noteworthy. It could imply humility or surprise at their own competence.

Are there situations where "even we could" is inappropriate?

Yes, avoid using "even we could" when discussing routine tasks or things that are well within your capabilities. It can sound condescending or sarcastic if used incorrectly.

What can I say instead of "even we could" to express a similar sentiment?

You could use phrases like "surprisingly we could", "even we were able to", or "we managed to" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.