which not even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which not even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a point or to indicate that something is beyond a certain limit or expectation. Example: "There are secrets in this world which not even the most experienced detectives can uncover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said postal workers oppose privatisation, which "not even Thatcher dared do".

The Guardian

Building a smartphone that's encrypted by default, from which not even its manufacturer can extract plaintext data, is irresponsible.

Stanford University

That would make its use illegal under an American law from which not even the navy is exempt.

The Economist

Khatib hoped for "a real national-unity government, in which not even the Alawites will be excluded".

The New Yorker

The definition of a LeBron: a mega-unit of media saturation from which not even the nonobserver may escape.

The New York Times

The filibuster fight, like much of politics, is about power, a temptation from which not even moderates are immune.

The New Yorker

He challenged his party's own pork-barrel interests, particularly the road-construction lobby, which not even Mr Koizumi defeated.

The Economist

No force known to science could stop it from becoming a sinkhole from which not even light could escape.

The New York Times - Science

But the action here seems to be taking place in a geographical void, which not even celebrity casting can fill.

The Guardian

Before him the idea existed of a star from which not even light could escape, but they were known as "dark stars" or sometimes "frozen stars".

Cornell University

The 200 butterfly is the one event in which not even someone as supremely gifted as Phelps can get by on natural talent and competitiveness alone.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which not even" to emphasize that something falls outside the limits of what is expected or possible. It adds a layer of surprise or incredulity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" in nonrestrictive clauses where "which not even" is intended. "Which" introduces additional, non-essential information, while "that" is used for essential information. For example, "The book, which not even the author understood, became a bestseller" is correct; using "that" would imply a different meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which not even" functions as a relative clause, modifying a preceding noun or pronoun and introducing information that is unexpected or surprising. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which not even" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause that emphasizes a limitation or exception. As shown by Ludwig, it's commonly found in news, academic and scientific writing, suitable for neutral and formal registers. The phrase is effective for highlighting surprising or unexpected aspects within a sentence, but remember that the word "which" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, adding extra information. It should not be confused with similar phrases, such as "that not even", which would be restrictive. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is correct and usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that not even

Replaces "which" with "that", maintaining the same meaning but with a slight shift in emphasis.

that doesn't even

Replaces 'which' with 'that' and adds 'doesn't', shifting the emphasis to a negative action.

not even

Removes "which" and connects directly, suitable when the relative pronoun is not necessary for sentence structure.

that excludes even

Clearly states that something is being excluded, emphasizing the limitation.

that's beyond

Shifts from a relative clause to a more direct statement of limitation.

that surpasses

Emphasizes exceeding a boundary or expectation.

that even

Omission of "not" changes the meaning to 'including' instead of 'excluding'.

exceeding even

Similar to 'that surpasses', but with a focus on the act of exceeding.

surpassing even

Emphasizes a degree beyond what's expected.

which fails to

Highlights a lack of success or inability to achieve something.

FAQs

How can I use "which not even" in a sentence?

You can use "which not even" to introduce a clause that emphasizes something unexpected or beyond a certain limit. For example, "The problem, which not even the experts could solve, remained a mystery."

What phrases are similar to "which not even"?

Alternatives include "that not even", "not even", or a rephrased sentence to highlight the unexpected nature of the statement.

Is there a difference between using "which not even" and "that not even"?

"Which" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, adding extra information, while "that" introduces a restrictive clause, essential to the sentence's meaning. Using "which not even" implies the clause is additional information, whereas "that not even" suggests the clause is necessary to define the subject.

Can I start a sentence with "which not even"?

No, "which not even" cannot start a sentence. It is a relative clause and must follow the noun it modifies. You might start with a rephrased sentence or an alternative structure.