he even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize an unexpected or surprising action taken by someone, often to highlight the extent of their behavior. Example: "He even brought dessert to the party, which was a nice surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He even defends Obamacare.

The Economist

Occasionally, he even smiles.

The Economist

He even dated girls.

The New York Times - Sports

He even signed it.

The New Yorker

He even toured Chinatown.

The New Yorker

He even misses losing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Is he even Irish?

The New York Times

He even wept.

The New York Times

He even defends MSG.

The New Yorker

He even reviews restaurants.

The New Yorker

He even dunked — twice.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he even" to emphasize an unexpected action or detail, adding a layer of surprise or escalation to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "he even" excessively in formal academic or professional writing, as it can sound informal. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "he also" or "furthermore" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he even" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb by adding emphasis or surprise to the action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig highlight this emphasis in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

13%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he even" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction to emphasize an unexpected or surprising action. As confirmed by Ludwig, its frequent appearance in News & Media underscores its utility in highlighting notable details. While versatile, it is most appropriate for neutral to informal contexts, with more formal alternatives available for academic or professional settings. By understanding its nuances and purpose, writers can effectively employ "he even" to add impact to their narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he actually

Emphasizes the truth or reality of the action, adding a slight degree of surprise.

he in fact

Similar to "he actually", highlighting the truth of the statement.

he also

Replaces "even" with "also", indicating an additional action without necessarily implying surprise.

he furthermore

Indicates an addition of information, but can sound more formal than "he also".

he surprisingly

Directly expresses the unexpected nature of the action.

he additionally

Similar to "he furthermore" but slightly less common in everyday speech.

he went so far as to

Indicates that the action was extreme or unexpected.

he remarkably

Similar to "he surprisingly", but with a stronger emphasis on the unusual nature of the action.

he even went as far as

Slightly more emphatic version of "he went so far as to".

he even dared to

Highlights the boldness or audacity of the action.

FAQs

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

Use "he even" to highlight a surprising or unexpected action performed by someone. For instance, "He apologized for being late. "He even" brought flowers as a peace offering."

What can I say instead of "he even"?

You can use alternatives like "he also", "he actually", or "he in fact" depending on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he even did" instead of "he even"?

Yes, "he even did" is grammatically correct if you need to add emphasis to the verb. For example, "I didn't think he would help, but "he even" did help!" It is more common to use "he even" without the extra "did", though.

What's the difference between "he even" and "even he"?

"He even" emphasizes the action performed by the person. "Even he" emphasizes that he, of all people, did something. For example, ""He even" cleaned the kitchen, which was unexpected." vs. "Even he, who hates cleaning, helped out."