very much even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very much even" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in informal contexts to emphasize a point, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "I was very much even surprised by the outcome of the event."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I don't like it very much even when it works.

The New Yorker

"But during our battles I grew to admire him very much, even when I most disagreed with him.

The New York Times

Even if I didn't like the person very much, even if I hated the person, I still wouldn't want to do it.

The New Yorker

This is a family that likes and loves each other very much, even if they don't always pretend to get along.

The New York Times

Mr. Solomon said he included criminal children after deciding that society's thinking on the subject hadn't really advanced very much, even while it has on autism and schizophrenia.

The New York Times - Books

He hadn't seen his children very much even before he went to prison because he was always busy running around, hiding underground.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

In truth, the outcome of the race is, even if delayed, not in very much doubt, even as poll workers in Miami-Dade County struggled today through a familiar ritual of counting votes in the glow of television lights.

The New York Times

"I turned around, he said, 'I love you very much.' Even at that point I didn't get it.

The New York Times - Sports

On top of that, the scoring system also very much favors even the slightly better player.

The New York Times - Sports

And it applies very much to even bigger things, like free education".

The Guardian

Their culture remains very much alive, even in Waikiki, where tourists and triathletes congregate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very much even", consider if a more standard phrase like "even though" or "even if" would provide greater clarity and flow in your writing. Assess your audience and context, and choose the wording that will be most easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "very much even" in formal or academic writing, as it may be perceived as informal or awkward. Opt for clearer and more conventional alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very much even" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It emphasizes the degree to which something is the case, often introducing an element of surprise or contrast. Ludwig indicates the usage is not standard but provides examples where it appears.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very much even" is a non-standard adverbial phrase that adds emphasis, often implying surprise. Ludwig notes that it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, though its use in formal writing is discouraged. It's grammatically acceptable but can sound awkward if overused. For clearer alternatives, consider "even so" or "even though" to enhance clarity and precision. Remember to assess your audience and writing context to make the most effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even so

Implies a contrast or concession, indicating that something is true despite a previous statement.

even then

Indicates that something is true at a specific time, despite other circumstances.

much more so

Emphasizes a greater degree or extent compared to something else.

all the more

Highlights an increased reason or justification for something.

still more

Indicates an additional amount or degree, emphasizing continuation.

even further

Suggests an extension or progression beyond a current point.

very much also

Adds emphasis while also indicating an additional point.

even if

Introduces a condition that does not change the outcome.

even though

Acknowledges a fact that contrasts with the main statement.

very much indeed

Adds a touch of formality to emphasize agreement or affirmation.

FAQs

What does "very much even" mean?

The phrase "very much even" is used to add emphasis, similar to "very much so", but it also introduces a contrasting element. Its meaning can vary based on context.

Is "very much even" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "very much even" is not a standard English phrase. It's often considered less formal and may sound awkward in formal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "very much even"?

Alternatives include "even so", "even though", "very much indeed", or "all the more", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "very much even" in a sentence?

You can use "very much even" to emphasize a surprising element in a situation. For example, "I was "very much even" surprised by the positive feedback, despite my initial doubts."