evenly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'evenly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was divided, spread, or distributed in a fair way. For example, "The teacher handed out the assignments evenly so that each student had an equal chance of success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In reality, the effect on MPs' seats is more complex to measure as voters are not spread evenly across constituencies: some areas within may heavily favour one party, others its main rival.

The Guardian

But the ComRes study – of 1,000 people across the 40 seats currently held by Labour – shows that voters are evenly split on whether the SNP should strike a deal at Westminster, with SNP voters far more uncertain about the case for a deal than the party's leadership.

The Guardian

The 2014 version has a more diverse array of ingredients in the mix – Lil Jon's Turn Down For What, Hozier's Take Me To Church and Jeremih's Don't Tell 'Em reflect pop's absorption of electronic music, folk and hip-hop – and they're distributed more evenly than the songs of the 2009 edition.

The Guardian - Music

There have been major protests against fracking at sites across the country, and a Guardian poll last summer showed the public evenly split for and against shale gas wells near them.

The Guardian

Season the salad to taste and then toss it gently to ensure that the dressing is evenly distributed.

The Guardian - Books

Whether JP Morgan, Bank of America or Citigroup, guilt in the mortgage crisis was more or less evenly distributed across Wall Street.

The Guardian - Opinion

Double sieving helps to distribute the baking agents more evenly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If there was a uniform national swing – meaning the changes in each party's support from this poll were evenly applied to 2010 election results across all constituencies – Labour could win an overall majority.

The Guardian

O'Donnell was setting out the constitutional position and acknowledged that an evenly balanced parliament can lead to a highly complex political situation.

The Guardian

Young people are more positive and evenly split, with 37% saying they expect their finances to get better against 25% who fear they will deteriorate.

The Guardian

It's time to challenge William Gibson's overused quote: "the future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the distribution of something abstract, like responsibilities or opportunities, using "evenly" can convey a sense of fairness and impartiality.

Common error

Avoid using "evenly" in highly technical or scientific writing where more precise terms like "uniformly distributed" or "homogeneously" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "evenly" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is distributed. Ludwig confirms that the word is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Lifestyle

22%

Sport

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "evenly" is a versatile adverb that signifies fairness, balance, or uniformity in distribution or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Sports contexts, it effectively conveys impartiality. While generally suitable, more precise language might be required for technical writing. Remember to use "evenly" when you want to emphasize the lack of bias in how something is spread or divided, but avoid overuse in scientific contexts where terms like "uniformly" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uniformly

This term emphasizes a consistent and identical manner across the board.

equally

This term highlights the aspect of being the same in quantity or measure.

in equal measure

This phrase stresses the presence of something in identical proportions.

proportionately

This suggests that the distribution is relative to some other factor, maintaining a balance.

without bias

This phrase denotes the absence of favoritism in distribution.

in a balanced way

This option emphasizes equilibrium and fairness in the approach.

levelly

This word indicates a smooth and consistent surface or distribution.

regularly

This term suggests a consistent pattern or timing in the distribution.

compatibly

Emphasizes how elements can exist or work together without conflict.

symmetrically

This indicates a mirrored arrangement or distribution on either side of a central point.

FAQs

How can I use "evenly" in a sentence?

You can use "evenly" to describe how something is distributed or divided. For example, "The cake was sliced "evenly" among the guests" or "Spread the paint "evenly" across the surface".

What are some synonyms for "evenly"?

Some synonyms for "evenly" include "equally", "uniformly", and "proportionately". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "evenly" when describing a distribution?

No, the necessity of using "evenly" depends on the context. Sometimes, other adverbs or adjectives may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuances you want to convey. For example, consider using "fairly" or "uniformly" instead.

What's the difference between "evenly" and "equally"?

"Evenly" typically refers to the manner in which something is spread or distributed, while "equally" refers to the quantity or amount each part receives. For example, divide the workload "equally", so that everyone can contribute "evenly".