so much as even

USAGE SUMMARY

"so much as even" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used to emphasize that something is true or absolute, even in extreme or surprising circumstances. For example, "I am not willing to compromise, not so much as even a little bit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Neither the rider, the trainer nor the owners have so much as even been to the Kentucky Derby.

The New York Times - Sports

The X Factor memoir has been out for 11 days, and not one tabloid has so much as even mentioned it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But it is Bridesmaids, which he signed up to without so much as even reading the script, that will really prove Hamm's talent at flexing his funny bone.

The Guardian - Film

This removal of the doctrinal underpinning for the admissibility rule has apparently escaped the attention of most of the federal courts, which have continued to approve the admission of evidence illegally seized by state officers without so much as even discussing the impact of Wolf.

Cornell University

Today, the US claims the legal right to indefinitely detain its citizens; the president can order the assassination of a citizen without so much as even a hearing; the government can spy on its citizens without a court order; and its officials are immune from prosecution for war crimes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile, the plot swerves into improbable surprises (Mary suddenly bumps into an ex-fiancé whose existence had not so much as even been hinted at), and away from its funniest supporting performances, by Joanna Gleason and Charles Kimbrough as Steve's embarrassment-proof (and embarrassing) would-be in-laws.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

We're not breaking the rules so much as not even seeing them in the first place.

HuffPost

It remains a remarkable feat that McCartney hardly seems to break a sweat during his extended performances and doesn't so much as stop even to take a sip of water.

Los Angeles Times

Though the characters include police officers, "Deception," which has its premiere on Monday night, isn't a cop show so much as an evening soap opera full of romantic entanglements and dark secrets but not much actual crime solving.

The New York Times - Arts

Currently third – in so much as you can even count the league at this stage – but don't expect a real challenge from them.

The Guardian - Sport

Sky wasn't taking sides so much as doing that "even-handed' thing that mainstream media thinks passes for objectivity.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so much as even" to emphasize the unexpected absence of something, especially when the opposite might be reasonably anticipated. For example, "He didn't "so much as even" acknowledge my presence" suggests a surprising lack of acknowledgment.

Common error

Avoid using "so much as even" in situations where a simple 'not' or 'didn't' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural. Instead of saying 'He didn't "so much as even" look at the paper', consider 'He didn't look at the paper'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so much as even" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the lack of something, often implying surprise or disbelief. It underscores that not even the smallest action or indication occurred, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so much as even" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the absence of something, often implying surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its intensifier function and neutral register. While it appears most frequently in News & Media sources, it is also found in academic writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of avoiding overuse and ensure it adds genuine emphasis rather than redundancy. Consider alternatives like "not even slightly" for more concise expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not so much as

Emphasizes the absence of an action, omitting the 'even' for brevity.

in the least

Emphasizes the complete absence of something, using a more concise structure.

to the slightest extent

Focuses on the minimal degree or scope of something, with a stronger emphasis on scale.

not even slightly

Emphasizes the absence of something to a minimal degree, shifting from action to presence.

not in any way

Indicates a complete negation of something, differing by using a broader scope.

even remotely

Indicates a slight possibility or connection, differing by focusing on possibility rather than a minimum action.

at the very least

Highlights the minimum requirement or expectation, altering the focus to necessity.

if anything at all

Suggests something barely exists or occurs, differing by adding a sense of doubt.

scarcely

Indicates a minimal or insufficient amount, shifting the emphasis to lack.

barely

Highlights the small amount or degree of something, using a more direct and simpler term.

FAQs

How can I use "so much as even" in a sentence?

Use "so much as even" to emphasize the absence of something, often implying surprise. For instance, "She didn't "so much as even" say hello" suggests that a greeting was surprisingly absent.

What does "so much as even" mean?

The phrase "so much as even" emphasizes a minimum level or action, often implying surprise that something didn't occur. It underscores the absence of even a small action or indication.

What are some alternatives to "so much as even"?

You can use alternatives like "not even slightly", "at the very least", or "to the slightest extent" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "so much as even" or "not even"?

"So much as even" can sound slightly more emphatic or formal than a simple "not even", but both are widely acceptable. The choice depends on the specific tone and context of your writing.