we may even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we may even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest a possibility that is more surprising or unexpected than what has already been mentioned. Example: "If we continue to work hard, we may even exceed our sales targets this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We may even hear from Pistorius himself.

Independent

We may even be overdue.

The Washington Post

We may even be glad to acquiesce.

The New Yorker

We may even have passed it.

The Guardian

We may even justify or defend them.

The New York Times

We may even get you excited about them!

Cornell University

And we may even have got the answer right.

The Guardian - Film

We may even rediscover Chablis one of these days.

The New York Times - Food

We may even have insurance to cover that.

The New Yorker

We may even find Thomas on the bench, replacing Wilkens.

The New York Times - Sports

We may even be in that situation right now.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we may even" to introduce a surprising or unexpected possibility that follows logically from the preceding statement. For example, 'If we invest more in research, "we may even" discover a cure for the disease.'

Common error

Avoid using "we may even" when the possibility is highly likely or certain. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the outcome is more speculative or surprising.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we may even" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, expressing a possibility that goes beyond the expected or already stated. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is used to introduce something that could happen, often surprising.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we may even" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to introduce an unexpected or surprising possibility. According to Ludwig AI, it's most frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts. While versatile, be mindful of its register and avoid overstating the likelihood of the event. Consider related phrases like "we might even" or "it's possible that we" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing. When writing with the phrase remember that it needs to introduce a possibility that can or can't be considered as logical to what has been said before.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we might even

Uses "might" instead of "may", indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty.

we could even

Substitutes "may" with "could", also suggesting a possible but not definite outcome.

we can even

Replaces "may" with "can", implying possibility with an element of ability or permission.

we might go so far as to

More emphatic and implies a greater extent of action or consequence.

it is even possible that we

Introduces the possibility more formally and explicitly.

it's conceivable that we

Uses "conceivable" to suggest something imaginable or believable.

there's a chance we might

Phrases the possibility as a "chance", highlighting the uncertainty.

we just might

Adds "just" for emphasis, indicating a slightly surprising possibility.

it is not out of the question that we

A more formal way to express that something is possible.

we may actually

Adds emphasis using "actually" to suggest a real, though perhaps unexpected, possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "we may even" in a sentence?

Use "we may even" to suggest a possibility that is surprising or goes beyond what is initially expected. Example: "If we work hard, "we may even" exceed our goals this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "we may even"?

Alternatives include "we might even", "we could even", or "it's possible that we". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we might even" instead of "we may even"?

Yes, "we might even" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. "Might" suggests a slightly lower probability compared to "may", but they are often interchangeable.

What is the difference between "we may even" and "we will even"?

"We may even" suggests a possibility, while "we will even" indicates a definite intention or future action. The key difference lies in the level of certainty.