that not even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that not even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a point, often indicating that something is so extreme or surprising that it surpasses even the most basic expectations. Example: "The storm was so powerful that not even the strongest buildings could withstand it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

QB House has none of that, not even a shampooing.

The Economist

And no Lincoln can defeat that, not even Babe.

The New York Times

Karzai's regime is just not that — not even close.

The New Yorker

Later, Kuchar said: "My memory's not like that, not even close.

The New York Times - Sports

There is not competition for that, not even close.

TechCrunch

America has never seen a default rate anything like that, not even during the Great Depression.

Forbes

You are YOU and no one can change that, not even a guy.

WikiHow

He didn't get that, not even close.

Huffington Post

No other tennis tournament has that, not even the Grand Slams.

Los Angeles Times

Nothing was going to change that — not even the threat of losing everything.

HuffPost

Nothing interfered with that, not even the disruption of wartime internment.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that not even", ensure the second part of the sentence provides a stark contrast to the first, highlighting the unexpected element.

Common error

Avoid using "that not even" in situations where the comparison lacks impact or surprise. Overusing it can diminish its effectiveness and make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that not even" functions as an intensifier or emphatic marker. It highlights a surprising or unexpected limit, suggesting that if something isn't true or possible in one context, it's certainly not true in a more extreme or unexpected context. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that not even" functions as a versatile intensifier, employed to emphasize a surprising limitation or impossibility. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and sees frequent use across various contexts, notably in news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. While the phrase holds a neutral register applicable in both formal and informal communications, overuse of the phrase could lead to diminishing returns. Employing alternatives like ""let alone"" or ""much less"" can add nuance and prevent repetition. "That not even" is a strong and valid expression, but like any tool, it must be wielded with precision to achieve maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let alone

Emphasizes that if something is not true for one case, it certainly isn't for a more extreme case.

much less

Similar to 'let alone', but can also indicate a smaller quantity or degree.

even less

Directly compares two things, indicating one is to a lower degree than the other.

still less

Similar to 'even less', emphasizing the unexpectedness of the lower degree.

not so much as

Focuses on the complete absence of something, rather than exceeding a limit.

not to mention

Introduces an additional point that reinforces the original statement, often something surprising.

to say nothing of

Highlights an additional, often more significant, factor that the original statement already implies.

not even remotely

Indicates something is not close to being true or possible.

far from

Highlights the distance or difference between something and a stated expectation.

certainly not

Denies something with strong conviction, implying it's beyond consideration.

FAQs

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

Use "that not even" to emphasize a surprising limitation or impossibility. For example, "The security was so tight that not even the CEO could enter without authorization".

What are some alternatives to using "that not even"?

You can use alternatives like "let alone", "much less", or "to say nothing of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that not even once"?

While grammatically valid, "that not even once" can sound awkward. Consider rephrasing for clarity, such as "He didn't even attempt it once" or "Not even once did he try".

What's the difference between "that not even" and "that even"?

"That even" implies something is included despite expectations, while "that not even" emphasizes exclusion or the surpassing of limitations. For instance, "That even he came is surprising" versus "That not even he could solve it shows its difficulty".