it is not even

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is not even" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express surprise or disappointment about a situation or fact that is not as expected or desired. Example: "I thought the movie would be good, but it was not even entertaining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

It is not even applied consistently.

The Economist

It is not even just about baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

It is not even an issue.

Independent

It is not even a close call".

The New York Times

It is not even a mitigated disaster.

The Economist

"It is not even the Third World.

The New Yorker

It is not even ignorance.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not even rare.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not even" to introduce a stronger or more surprising statement after negating an initial expectation. For example, "The task was not difficult; it is not even time-consuming."

Common error

While common, "it is not even" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "it is scarcely" or "it does not remotely approach".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not even" functions as an intensifier following a negative statement. It amplifies the negation by suggesting that the reality falls significantly short of a certain expectation. Ludwig's examples show its use to express surprise or disappointment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not even" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize a lack of something or to intensify a negative statement. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various sources, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and formality of your writing, as more sophisticated alternatives may be appropriate in certain situations. The phrase serves to convey a sense of surprise or disappointment, indicating that something falls far short of expectations. Remember to use this phrase strategically to enhance your message and create a stronger impact on your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's far from

This alternative emphasizes the distance from a certain state or condition, implying a significant difference.

it's not remotely

This phrase indicates a lack of connection or similarity, suggesting a complete absence of a quality.

it's hardly

This alternative suggests a minimal presence or occurrence, implying insufficiency.

it's not nearly

This phrase indicates a significant difference in degree or extent, implying a considerable gap.

it's not close to

This alternative emphasizes the disparity between two things, highlighting the distance between them.

it doesn't approach

This phrase suggests a failure to reach a certain level or standard, indicating inadequacy.

it's nothing like

This alternative emphasizes a complete lack of similarity, implying a fundamental difference.

it bears no resemblance to

This phrase indicates a complete absence of similarity in appearance or nature.

it's in a different league

This alternative indicates a vast difference in quality or status, implying superiority.

it pales in comparison to

This phrase suggests that something is insignificant when compared to something else, highlighting its inferiority.

FAQs

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

Use "it is not even" to emphasize that something is further from a particular state or condition than might be expected. For example, "The movie was not good; "it is not even" watchable."

What are some alternatives to "it is not even"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "it is far from", "it is not remotely", or "it is hardly" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of emphasis.

Is it correct to say "it is not even" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, ""it is not even"" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider using more elevated language to maintain a professional tone.

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

"It is not even" generally emphasizes a surprising lack of something, while "it is not remotely" stresses the complete absence of a connection or similarity. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.