they are even

USAGE SUMMARY

'they are even' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize a similar quality between two things, or to show that two people or groups have the same thing in common. For example: "My brother and I grew up in different cities, but we have the same taste in music - they are even."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are even better.

The New York Times - Sports

They are even complementary.

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

Sometimes they are even sued.

The New York Times

Now they are even lower.

The New York Times

They are even spreading.

The New York Times

They are even spreading to rich countries.

The Economist

They are even more difficult to separate.

The New York Times - Sports

They are even getting fan mail.

The New York Times

They are even embarrassed by it.

The New Yorker

They are even drawing counterprotests.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They're even enterprising..

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are even" to highlight an unexpected or surprising similarity between two subjects or situations. This emphasizes the shared attribute beyond what might be initially assumed.

Common error

Avoid using "they are even" when a simple conjunction like "also" would suffice. "Even" implies a degree of surprise or unexpectedness that should be present in the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are even" primarily functions as a connector and emphasizer. It links two subjects or situations while highlighting a shared characteristic that may be surprising or unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing various examples where the phrase underscores similarities across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they are even" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to emphasize similarities, often unexpected, between two or more subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its consistent usage across various sources. Analysis of these sources shows it is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts, exhibiting a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Related phrases include "they also" and "similarly they", though these lack the element of surprise that "even" conveys. When using "they are even", ensure the similarity is noteworthy to avoid redundancy. Overall, "they are even" serves as a valuable tool for highlighting parallels and surprising connections within written and spoken discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they also

Omits the comparative element of "even", focusing solely on an additional attribute or action.

they too

Similar to "they also", but slightly more emphatic, indicating inclusion in a group or activity.

as well, they

Indicates that "they" share the same quality or participate in the same action mentioned previously.

similarly, they

Introduces a parallel situation or attribute, providing a formal connection between two subjects.

likewise, they

Functions similarly to "similarly, they", indicating a direct correspondence or mirroring of characteristics.

they're in addition

More conversational, this alternative introduces an additional quality or action that "they" possess or perform.

furthermore, they

Adds another point that builds upon previous information regarding "they", creating a sense of layered description.

moreover, they

Similar to "furthermore, they", but with a slightly stronger implication of adding a significant or compelling detail.

they equally

Emphasizes equality in some way, suggesting a balance or equivalence between the subjects.

they happen to

Emphasizes the coincidental or surprising nature of the shared attribute.

FAQs

How can I use "they are even" in a sentence?

Use "they are even" to emphasize a similarity between two subjects, often when the similarity is surprising or noteworthy. For example, "Both dogs love to play fetch; "they are even" best friends".

What are some alternatives to "they are even"?

You can use alternatives like "they also", "similarly they", or "likewise they" to express a shared attribute or characteristic.

Is it always necessary to use "they are even" when pointing out a similarity?

No, "they are even" is best used when the similarity is somewhat unexpected or surprising. Simple similarities can be expressed with "they also" or other connecting phrases.

What's the nuance that "they are even" provides?

The phrase "they are even" introduces an element of surprise or unexpectedness when highlighting a similarity. It suggests that the shared characteristic is more significant than initially anticipated.