not even even

USAGE SUMMARY

'not even even' is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can't be used as is; it is a kind of malapropism, similar to saying 'irregardless', which isn't accepted in standard English. For example, you could not write: "I can't believe it was so bad, not even even a single person enjoyed it." Instead, you could say: "I can't believe it was so bad, not even a single person enjoyed it."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"And then other times it just looks beautiful and diverse and it's very genuine and real and you're not even, even though this has been a criteria, you're almost not even conscious that it's happening".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

See, I don't even  even consider in my thoughts what the big labels are doing.

Vice

Not necessarily swans, even crows, even the evening fusillade of bats.

The New Yorker

"Not even covert, not even implied".

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

Since then investors have not even broken even.

The New York Times

They are, however, not even being considered, not even reported.

The Guardian - Opinion

The camera operator, Redflex, may not even be breaking even.

The New York Times

Not even Engelbert Humperdinck, not even The Hump, could do it for us.

Independent

Right now, said Ms. O'Donnell, many in California are not even breaking even.

The New York Times

But not even controversy -- not even Marylou Whitney jumping ship -- can make "Sanitation" visually interesting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "not even even" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "not even" or "not remotely" to convey your intended meaning clearly.

Common error

Avoid using "not even even" due to its double negation. This construction can confuse readers. Replace it with single negation alternatives like "not even close" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not even even" is grammatically incorrect and serves no valid function in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered a malapropism, akin to saying 'irregardless'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not even even" is considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as a malapropism. Instead, opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "not even" or "not remotely" to clearly and correctly express your intended meaning. While some examples may exist in informal contexts, it is best to refrain from using this phrase in any formal or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not even remotely

Emphasizes a complete absence or distance from a certain condition or quality.

not in the slightest

Highlights a complete lack of something, like interest or concern.

not at all

Expresses a complete negation of a statement or quality.

not so much as

Stresses the absence of even a minimal action or occurrence.

barely even

Indicates that something is only marginally present or noticeable.

not remotely close

Highlights that something is far from being achieved or accurate.

not by any means

Expresses a strong negation or denial of something.

nowhere near

Indicates that something is far from reaching a certain level or condition.

not even close

Indicates something is not near the intended target.

not in any way

Denotes a complete absence of a particular attribute or aspect.

FAQs

What does "not even" mean?

The phrase "not even" emphasizes that something is unexpected or surprising because it falls below a certain threshold or expectation. For example, "He didn't "not even try"" suggests a complete lack of effort.

What can I say instead of "not even even"?

Since "not even even" is grammatically incorrect, use alternatives like "not even", "not remotely", or "not at all" to convey a similar meaning with correct grammar.

Is it correct to say "not even even"?

No, the phrase "not even even" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to the double use of "even" after a negation. Standard English prefers "not even".

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

Use "not even" to emphasize the absence of something expected. For example: "She did "not even call" to say she'd be late" indicates her failure to perform a simple, expected action.