is not even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not even" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something does not meet a certain standard or expectation. Example: "The food at the restaurant was so bad that it is not even edible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is not even close.

The New York Times

It is not even witty".

Independent

It is not even France.

The Economist

He is not even 50.

The New York Times - Books

He is not even writing.

The New York Times

There is not even a Copenhagen agreement.

The New York Times

He is not even an average heavyweight.

Independent

The contest is not even close.

The New York Times - Tech

It is not even applied consistently.

The Economist

She is not even in her 60s.

The New York Times

This is not even a close call".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not even" to emphasize the absence of an expected quality or condition, creating a stronger impact than a simple negative statement. For instance, "The service was so slow, it "is not even" worth the price."

Common error

While "is not even" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary to convey similar meanings, such as "does not begin to" or "scarcely approaches."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not even" functions as an intensifier used to express a stronger negation or emphasize the lack of a certain quality or attribute. As shown in Ludwig examples, it underscores that something fails to meet a minimum standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is not even" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize a lack or deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig examples demonstrate its frequent use in news and media. While acceptable in most contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Consider alternatives such as "doesn't even" or "not in the slightest" to add variety to your writing. Use it strategically to highlight the absence of an expected quality or condition, as in "The sequel "is not even" as good as the original".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't even

Uses 'doesn't' to create a more conversational and direct tone.

not so much as

Emphasizes the complete absence of something, often with a slightly more formal or literary feel.

not in the slightest

Conveys a strong sense of negation, indicating that something is definitely not the case.

not remotely

Similar to 'not in the slightest', but perhaps slightly less emphatic.

barely

Indicates a minimal degree or amount of something, implying it's almost non-existent.

not nearly

Suggests that something falls far short of a particular standard or expectation.

falls short of

Implies a failure to reach a desired level or quality.

lacks

Directly states the absence of something necessary or desirable.

is far from

Indicates a significant difference or distance from a particular state or condition.

nowhere near

Similar to 'is far from', emphasizing the great distance between something and a desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "is not even" in a sentence?

Use "is not even" to emphasize that something fails to meet a basic expectation or standard. For example, "The weather /s/is+not+even mild; it's freezing!"

What are some alternatives to "is not even"?

You can use alternatives like "doesn't even", "not in the slightest", or "not remotely" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "is not even"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "is not even" can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to vary your phrasing by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences.

What's the difference between "is not even" and "is not nearly"?

"Is not even" emphasizes a complete lack of something, while "is not nearly" implies that something falls short of a particular standard or expectation. For example, "The project is not even finished" versus "The project is not nearly complete."