it was even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was even" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize a point you are making by comparing it to something more extreme. For example: "The wind was strong, it was even powerful enough to knock down some trees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was even better.

The New York Times

Sometimes it was even.

The New York Times

It was even gluten-free.

Independent

It was even worse.

The New York Times

And onstage it was even hazier.

The New York Times - Arts

If anything, it was even less expected.

Independent

It was even in the first half.

The New York Times

It was "Even Stevphen," not "Even Stephven".

The New York Times

In Ireland, it was even more absurd.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It was evening all afternoon.

Britannica

It's even useful.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was even" to highlight a surprising or unexpected aspect that amplifies the initial statement. For instance, "The task was challenging; it was even more complex than initially anticipated."

Common error

Avoid using "it was even" in simple sentences where the emphasis is unnecessary or redundant. For example, instead of saying "The weather was cold; it was even chilly", simply state "The weather was chilly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was even" functions as an intensifier within a sentence, typically used to escalate or emphasize a previously mentioned state or attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and effectively conveys a heightened degree of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was even" serves as an intensifier, emphasizing a surprising or unexpected aspect that builds upon a prior statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It commonly appears in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedic content. While its register is generally neutral, writers should avoid overuse in simple sentences to prevent redundancy. Consider alternatives like "it actually was" or "it really was" to vary your expression. By understanding its function and appropriate context, you can effectively use "it was even" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it actually was

Replaces "even" with "actually" to emphasize the reality or truth of the statement.

it really was

Substitutes "even" with "really" to underscore the genuineness or degree of something.

it truly was

Uses "truly" instead of "even" to highlight the authenticity or sincerity of the assertion.

it certainly was

Replaces "even" with "certainly" to convey assurance or confidence in the statement.

it surprisingly was

Incorporates "surprisingly" to indicate an unexpected element or outcome.

it unexpectedly was

Similar to "surprisingly", emphasizes the unforeseen nature of the situation.

it also was

Uses "also" instead of "even" to simply add another detail to the previous information.

indeed it was

Inverts the structure and uses "indeed" for a more formal or emphatic tone.

it might have been

Shifts the certainty of the statement to a possibility or speculation.

it could have been

Similar to "might have been", expresses a potential or hypothetical situation.

FAQs

How can I use "it was even" in a sentence?

Use "it was even" to emphasize a point by comparing it to something more extreme or surprising. For example, "The movie was long; "it was even" longer than the book."

What are some alternatives to "it was even"?

You can use alternatives such as "it actually was", "it really was", or "it truly was" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between saying "it was even better" and "it was better"?

Yes, ""it was even" better" emphasizes that the degree of improvement was surprising or exceeded expectations, while "it was better" simply states that there was an improvement.

When is it appropriate to use "it was even" in formal writing?

"It was even" is suitable in formal writing when you need to emphasize an unexpected or significant development. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and doesn't appear overly colloquial.