it was even when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was even when" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing conditions or situations that were equal or similar at a specific time, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "It was even when we both scored the same number of points in the game."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I don't think there's any appreciable improvement and I think that, for women, the question of how they are supposed to look is worse than it was even when I was young.

Independent

"I don't think there's any appreciable improvement and I think that, for women, the question of how they are supposed to look is worse than it was even when I was young," she told the new issue of Radio Times.

The Guardian - Film

Ms. FAKE: I mean, it's – it's – it's sad to me because I think that Yahoo is in a not a very strong position as it was even when I started there in 2005.

TechCrunch

Because going to college is so much more expensive than it was even when Thiel was in school, he notes that a lot of kids come out of school having to worry about debt rather than just focusing on doing great things.

TechCrunch

The reactions from the women have been remarkable, and reveal what a life-changing experience it was even when it comes to the simplest things.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was evening when the two men arrived in Dhahran.

The New Yorker

It was evening when our landlord finally came back.

The New Yorker

It was evening when we finally pulled in to Cannon Beach.

The Guardian - Travel

It was evening when I came into Maxine's hospital room.

The New Yorker

Many times I have heard people say how much fun it is even when they lose money.

The New York Times

The name translates from Arabic as "he burnt his finger", which goes some way to explaining how irresistible it is, even when it's piping hot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "it was even when" with clearer alternatives like "it was also when" or "it was still when", depending on the intended meaning. This improves readability and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "it was even when" to describe conditions that were simply concurrent. This phrase often implies a comparative or intensifying aspect that may not be present. Instead, opt for simpler constructions to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was even when" serves as an adverbial phrase, attempting to provide a temporal context or condition. However, as indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically questionable and not a standard English construction. It aims to describe the circumstances surrounding an event or state at a specific time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was even when" is a non-standard English construction that can lead to confusion. Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically questionable, and its usage is infrequent across various contexts. While examples from Ludwig show its presence in news and scientific sources, it's best to opt for clearer and more precise phrasing in formal or professional writing. Alternatives like "it was also when" or "it still was when" provide better clarity and grammatical correctness, improving overall communication. To ensure clear communication avoid using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was also when

Emphasizes simultaneity or concurrence of events at a specific time.

it was like that when

Indicates a similarity in conditions or state compared to a previous time.

it happened when

Focuses on the timing of an event or occurrence.

it existed even if

Highlights the continuation of something despite a condition.

it remained when

Stresses the persistence of a state or condition over time.

it used to be when

Refers to a past situation or state associated with a specific time.

it was still when

Emphasizes that something continued until a particular moment.

it arose when

Focuses on the emergence or beginning of something at a certain time.

it was back when

Refers to a past time or era when things were different.

it turned when

Highlights a point of change or transformation.

FAQs

What does "it was even when" mean?

The phrase "it was even when" is not a standard or commonly recognized idiomatic expression in English. Its meaning can be unclear without additional context. It might suggest a comparison or continuation of a state up to a certain point.

What are some alternatives to "it was even when"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it was also when", "it was still when", or "it happened when" to convey a similar meaning with greater clarity.

How can I use "it was even when" correctly?

Due to its non-standard nature, it's best to avoid using "it was even when" in formal writing. If you choose to use it, ensure the context provides enough clarity to prevent misinterpretation. Simpler and more direct phrasing is generally preferable.

Is "it was even when" grammatically correct?

The phrase "it was even when" doesn't follow standard English grammar conventions, and Ludwig AI marks it as potentially confusing. It's better to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives.