perhaps even

USAGE SUMMARY

"perhaps even" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are considering more than one possibility or outcome, and you want to emphasize the possibility of something unexpected or extreme. For example: We could go to the beach, perhaps even take a week-long vacation together.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps even her smile.

The New York Times - Health

Perhaps even difficult.

The New York Times - Travel

Perhaps even commendable.

The New York Times

Perhaps even leaving Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Perhaps even entertaining.

The New York Times

Perhaps even childlike.

The New York Times

Or perhaps even both?

The New York Times

Perhaps even a likelihood.

Independent

Perhaps even more so.

The New York Times

Perhaps, even, a little pleased.

Independent

Progress, perhaps, even if slow.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perhaps even" to introduce an element of surprise or to emphasize a more extreme possibility than what was initially considered. It adds a nuance of unexpectedness.

Common error

Avoid using "perhaps even" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your text sound hesitant or repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "maybe even" or "possibly even" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perhaps even" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding a degree of uncertainty and emphasis to a statement. According to Ludwig, it indicates something unexpected or extreme.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

8%

Huffington Post

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

The New Yorker

2%

The Economist

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perhaps even" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce an element of unexpectedness or a more extreme possibility. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. While highly versatile, varying your phrasing with alternatives like "maybe even" or "possibly even" can prevent overuse and maintain reader engagement. Remember to use "perhaps even" when you want to suggest something that might be a bit surprising or beyond initial expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maybe even

Replaces "perhaps" with "maybe", offering a slightly more informal tone.

possibly even

Substitutes "perhaps" with "possibly", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

potentially even

Replaces "perhaps" with "potentially", focusing on the inherent possibility of something occurring.

maybe indeed

Emphasizes the possibility with "indeed", reinforcing the likelihood.

conceivably even

Uses "conceivably" in place of "perhaps", highlighting that something is imaginable or believable.

it's even possible that

Rephrases to include the explicit statement of possibility.

to an even greater extent

Shifts the focus from possibility to degree or magnitude.

furthermore

Implies an addition that could be unexpected, similar to the emphasis provided by "even".

moreover

Similar to "furthermore", this emphasizes the additive and somewhat unexpected nature of the statement.

if not more so

Expresses a higher degree of something, implying a possibility of exceeding expectations.

FAQs

How to use "perhaps even" in a sentence?

"Perhaps even" is used to introduce a possibility that is more extreme or unexpected than what has already been mentioned. For example, "We could visit the museum, perhaps even see the new exhibit."

What can I say instead of "perhaps even"?

You can use alternatives like "maybe even", "possibly even", or "potentially even" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "perhaps" and "even" together?

While "perhaps" and "even" individually express possibility, using them together as "perhaps even" adds a layer of emphasis, suggesting that the possibility is somewhat surprising or unexpected. The combination is not necessarily redundant if that nuance is intended.

When is it inappropriate to use "perhaps even"?

Avoid using "perhaps even" in very formal or technical writing where a more precise and direct tone is preferred. In such cases, consider using alternatives that clearly state the probability or extent of the possibility without adding a sense of surprise.