A |
Study this example situation:
Tina loves watching television.
She has a TV in every room of the house, even the bathroom.
We use even to say that something is unusual or surprising. It is not usual to have a TV in the bathroom.
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Some more examples:
- These pictures are really awful. Even I take better pictures than these. (and I'm certainly not a good photographer)
- He always wears a coat, even in hot weather.
- The print was very small. I couldn't read it, even with glasses.
- Nobody would help her, not even her best friend.
or Not even her best friend would help her.
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B |
You can use even with the verb in the middle of a sentence (see Unit 110):
- Sue has travelled all over the world. She has even been to the Antarctic.
(It's especially unusual to go to the Antarctic, so she must have travelled a lot.)
- They are very rich. They even have their own private jet.
Study these examples with even after a negative (not/can't/don't etc.):
- I can't cook. I can't even boil an egg. (and boiling an egg is very easy)
- They weren't very friendly to us. They didn't even say hello.
- Jessica is very fit. She's just run five miles and she's not even out of breath.
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C |
You can use even + comparative (cheaper / more expensive etc.):
- I got up very early, but Jack got up even earlier.
- I knew I didn't have much money, but I've got even less than I thought.
- We were surprised to get an email from her. We were even more surprised when she came to see us a few days later.
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D |
Even though / even when / even if
We use even though / even when / even if + subject + verb:
- Even though she can't drive, she bought a car.
she can't = subject + verb
- He never shouts, even when he's angry.
- This river is dangerous. It's dangerous to swim in it, even if you're a strong swimmer.
You cannot use even in this way (+ subject + verb). We say:
- Even though she can't drive, she bought a car. (not Even she can't drive)
- I can't reach the shelf even if I stand on a chair. (not even I stand)
Compare even if and if:
- We're going to the beach tomorrow. It doesn't matter what the weather is like. We're going even if it's raining.
- We want to go to the beach tomorrow, but we won't go if it's raining.
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