we're not even

USAGE SUMMARY

"we're not even" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use it to express a feeling of shock, disbelief, or resignation, such as in this example: "We've been working on this project for weeks, and we're not even close to being finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We're not even close.

The New York Times - Sports

We're not even first generation.

The New Yorker

"We're not even guaranteeing that".

The New Yorker

We're not even halfway there.

The New York Times - Arts

"We're not even at halftime".

The New York Times

We're not even Medicaid eligible.

The New York Times

We're not even lucky.

The Guardian

But we're not even looking back.

The New York Times - Sports

We're not even seeing five percent.

The New York Times

"We're not even close to that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We're not even.500 yet".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we're not even" to emphasize the unexpected absence of something or a significant shortfall. For example, "We prepared extensively, but we're not even halfway through the project".

Common error

Avoid overusing "we're not even" in close succession, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your expressions of negation or shortfall.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we're not even" primarily functions as an intensifier used to emphasize a lack of something or a failure to reach a certain level or expectation. As evidenced by Ludwig, it underscores a stark contrast between expectation and reality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we're not even" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the lack of something, highlight a deficiency, or express surprise at falling short of expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including news, sports, and more informal settings. When writing, be mindful of overuse and vary expressions for greater impact. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for diverse audiences, but more formal settings may benefit from more precise language. Closely related phrases include "we're nowhere near" and "we aren't remotely", which offer similar but slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we're not close

A more generic phrase highlighting the relative distance.

we're nowhere near

Highlights a significant gap or lack of progress.

we aren't remotely

Emphasizes distance from a goal or standard.

we're leagues away from

Highlights a very large distance or difference between two things.

we're far from

Highlights a significant distance, physically or metaphorically.

we haven't begun to

Indicates that the initial stage has not been started yet.

we don't approach

Emphasizes that even an approximation is not achieved.

we scarcely approach

Similar to "we don't approach", but indicates a lower probability

we fail to

Directly states a lack of success or achievement.

it's not like we're

Highlights a contrary to a probably false assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "we're not even" in a sentence?

You can use "we're not even" to emphasize the absence of something expected or to highlight a significant deficiency. For instance, "We invested a lot of resources, but "we're not even" seeing a return yet".

What are some alternatives to "we're not even"?

Alternatives include "we're nowhere near", "we aren't remotely", or "we're far from", depending on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "we're not even"?

Yes, it is grammatically acceptable to start a sentence with "we're not even", especially for emphasis or to create a sense of surprise or disbelief. However, ensure that the sentence structure remains clear and coherent.

What's the difference between "we're not even" and "we aren't even"?

The difference between "we're not even" and "we aren't even" is purely stylistic. "We're" is a contraction of "we are", so both phrases have the same meaning. "We're not even" is more common in informal contexts.