was even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a surprising or unexpected aspect of a situation or statement. Example: "The weather was so bad that the event was even canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was even memorabilia.

The New York Times

Germany was even stranger.

The Economist

This was even better.

Independent

Aguero's was even better.

Independent

It was even better.

The New York Times

That was even better.

The New Yorker

Sometimes it was even.

The New York Times

He was even inspiring.

Harvard University

The weather was even colder.

The New Yorker

Charles's family was even luckier.

The New York Times - Sports

He was even less swayed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was even" to add emphasis to a statement, indicating surprise or a degree beyond what was initially expected. For example, "The food was delicious, the service "was even" better."

Common error

Avoid using "was even" excessively in your writing, as it can create a sense of redundancy or diminish the impact of your emphasis. Opt for stronger, more direct language to convey your message effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was even" primarily functions as an intensifier, adding emphasis or surprise to a statement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. It highlights an aspect that exceeds expectations or is more significant than previously indicated. Examples show it used to compare or contrast, stressing an unexpected degree or quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was even" is a versatile phrase used to add emphasis and surprise to a statement, highlighting an unexpected or notable aspect. It is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news and media make it suitable for both formal and informal writing. To ensure effective communication, avoid overuse and explore alternative phrases like "was actually" or "was indeed" to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was actually

Replaces "even" with "actually", emphasizing the truth or reality of the statement.

was in fact

Similar to "actually", it underscores the reality or truth of the situation.

was indeed

Emphasizes the truth or certainty of the statement.

was truly

Highlights the genuine or authentic nature of something.

was remarkably

Emphasizes how surprisingly impressive something was.

was surprisingly

Highlights the unexpected nature of the situation.

proved to be

Indicates a development that confirms a certain quality.

turned out to be

Similar to "proved to be", but with a sense of discovery.

was further

Indicates an additional element or aspect of a situation.

went so far as to be

Implies an extreme or unexpected development.

FAQs

How can I use "was even" in a sentence?

Use "was even" to emphasize an unexpected or surprising aspect of a situation. For example, "The movie was great, the soundtrack "was even better"."

What can I say instead of "was even"?

Alternatives include "was actually", "was in fact", or "was indeed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "were even" instead of "was even"?

Use "were even" when referring to a plural subject. For example, "The odds were stacked against them, but their chances "were even" after the first round."

How does the use of "was even" affect the tone of a sentence?

Using "was even" typically adds emphasis or surprise to a statement. It can suggest that something exceeded expectations or was more significant than initially perceived.