Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 112 · B1

even

Use even to mark something as unusual or surprising. It goes with the verb, with a negative, with a comparative, and in even though, even when and even if.

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 24 minutes

In this lesson

even: something surprisingA2 screens of questions
even with the verb, and not evenB2 screens of questions
even + comparativeC2 screens of questions
even though, even when, even ifD2 screens of questions

Point A of 4

even: something surprising

Dot is mad about gardening. There are plants in every corner of her flat, even the bathroom.

even flags something as unexpected or surprising. Most people do not keep a fern beside the bath, and fewer still talk to it.

  • This cake is dreadful. Even I could bake a better one. (and I am no baker)
  • She wears sunglasses, even in December.
  • We were right at the back. I couldn't see the stage, even with binoculars.
  • Nobody remembered his birthday, not even his mum.
  • Not even his mum remembered his birthday.

Point A · Exercise 112.1 · part 1 of 2

Dev, Nina and Sam rented a cottage together for a weekend. Dev loves board games, is a keen cyclist, enjoys early starts and is always calm. Nina dislikes the countryside, is often bad-tempered, is always punctual and is no fan of games. Sam is never on time, struggles to get up in the morning, loves the countryside and can't ride a bike. Complete the sentences using even or not even.

  1. Example

    The cottage was up in the hills. Everybody loved it, even Nina.

    AnswerThe cottage was up in the hills. Everybody loved it, even Nina.

  2. They planned to set off at nine. They were all ready on time, .

  3. They played a board game one evening. It was so dull that nobody enjoyed it, .

  4. On Sunday they had to be up at six. They all made it, .

  5. The car broke down on the way home, but nobody lost their temper, .

Point A · Exercise 112.1 · part 2 of 2

Dev, Nina and Sam rented a cottage together for a weekend. Dev loves board games, is a keen cyclist, enjoys early starts and is always calm. Nina dislikes the countryside, is often bad-tempered, is always punctual and is no fan of games. Sam is never on time, struggles to get up in the morning, loves the countryside and can't ride a bike. Complete the sentences using even or not even.

  1. They hired bikes, but it poured, so none of them rode anywhere, .

Point B of 4

even with the verb, and not even

Even can go with the verb in the middle of the sentence (see Unit 110).

It is also used with a negative: not even, can't even, didn't even, isn't even etc. This says that not even the easiest or most basic thing happened.

  • Marcus has run marathons all over the world. He's even run one at the North Pole.
  • They're very well off. They even own a racehorse.
  • Ian can't sing. He can't even hum in tune. (and humming in tune is not hard)
  • The waiter wasn't very helpful. He didn't even bring us a menu.
  • Anya is very fit. She's just run up four flights of stairs and she isn't even out of breath.

Point B · Exercise 112.2 · part 1 of 2

Write a sentence with even, using the words in brackets. For items 5 to 9, use a negative with even (didn't even, can't even, isn't even etc.).

  1. Example

    Callum will eat anything. (snails)

    He'll even eat snails.

    AnswerHe'll even eat snails.

  2. Example

    She didn't give us anything to eat. (a biscuit)

    She didn't even give us a biscuit.

    AnswerShe didn't even give us a biscuit.

  3. We cleaned the whole house. (the windows)

  4. Bev has travelled all over the world. (Antarctica)

  5. You could smell the bonfire from miles away. (from the motorway)

  6. I can't remember anything about the film. (its title)

Point B · Exercise 112.2 · part 2 of 2

Write a sentence with even, using the words in brackets. For items 5 to 9, use a negative with even (didn't even, can't even, isn't even etc.).

  1. This village has hardly any facilities. (a shop)

  2. She didn't tell anybody she was leaving. (her best friend)

  3. I don't know anybody at work. (the people in my office)

Point C of 4

even + comparative

Use even with a comparative (even earlier, even smaller, even more surprised) to say that the second thing goes further than the first, which was already notable.

  • I left work early, but Lucy left even earlier.
  • I knew the flat was small, but it's even smaller than I thought.
  • We were amazed when he rang. We were even more amazed when he turned up at the door the next day.

Point C · Exercise 112.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences using even + a comparative.

  1. Example

    It was cold last night, but tonight it's even colder.

    AnswerIt was cold last night, but tonight it's even colder.

  2. The castle is eight hundred years old, but the church next to it is .

  3. That's a clever plan, but I've got an one.

  4. The first hill was very steep. The second one was .

  5. I played badly on Saturday, but the rest of the team played .

Point C · Exercise 112.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences using even + a comparative.

  1. Neither of us had much money. I had very little and my brother had .

Point D of 4

even though, even when, even if

even though / even when / even if are followed by a subject and a verb.

Even on its own is not followed by a subject and verb: Even though he can't swim, not Even he can't swim.

Compare even if (+ subject + verb) and even (+ a noun or phrase):

even if + subject + verb even + phrase
This road is dangerous, even if you're an experienced cyclist. This road is dangerous, even for experienced cyclists.

Compare even if and if. With even if, the condition changes nothing. With if, it changes everything.

  • Even though Ravi can't swim, he loves the seaside.
  • She never complains, even when she's ill.
  • Stay away from the cliff edge, even if you think it's safe.
  • Even though he can't swim, he goes sailing every summer. (not even he can't swim)
  • I can't open this jar even if I use both hands. (not even I use)
  • We're having the barbecue tomorrow, whatever happens. We're having it even if it rains.
  • We'd like a barbecue tomorrow, but we won't have one if it rains.

Point D · Exercise 112.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with if, even, even if or even though.

  1. Example

    ___ Ravi can't swim, he loves the seaside.

    Even though

    AnswerEven though Ravi can't swim, he loves the seaside.

  2. The shop shuts in ten minutes, but we can still get there ___ we hurry.

  3. The shop shuts in one minute. We won't get there now ___ we hurry.

  4. Gareth's French isn't very good, ___ after five years in Lyon.

  5. Gareth's French isn't very good, ___ he lived in Lyon for five years.

Point D · Exercise 112.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with if, even, even if or even though.

  1. ___ with two jumpers on, I was freezing in that office.

  2. I couldn't relax ___ I was on holiday.

  3. I'm not lending him my car again, ___ he begs.

  4. ___ I'd been walking all day, I wasn't tired.

Lesson 112 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: in spite of / despite; although / though / even thoughBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. even: something surprising–Not checkedB. even with the verb, and not even–Not checkedC. even + comparative–Not checkedD. even though, even when, even if–Not checked