English 24
November 30th
A little bit of GRAMMAR

This week we thought we'd give you some tips on when and how to use "even". As you will have heard on today's programme, we use "even" to say that something is unusual or surprising. We'll give you an example to make it clearer. I was going to make Newcastle United part of this example, but I thought better of it and I've done some wishful thinking instead.
§ Manchester United lost last week. They all played badly. Beckham is their best player but last Saturday even Beckham played badly.
Precisely because we use "even" to say that something is unusual or surprising. We say even Beckham…… because he is an excellent football player and it is very unusual for him to play badly. Therefore if he played badly, it must have been a bad day for Manchester United.

Here are a few more examples:
§ I didn't think Tom's photos were very good. Even I could take better photos than those. ( I'm definitely not good at taking photos, so Tom's photos must be terrible)
§ Paul never wears a coat to go out at the weekend - even in the winter! (Everyone usually wears a coat in winter!)
§ After what happened the last time - nobody would buy Jack a drink - not even his best friend! (usually your best friend is the person you can rely on in any circumstance)
§ Even Francesca realised it was very dangerous to drive to Northumberland in a blizzard. (Francesca usually does foolhardy things.)

2. We often use "even" with the verb in the middle of a sentence.
§ Louise has travelled all over the world. She has even been to the South Pole. (It's really unusual to travel to the South Pole so she must have travelled a lot.)
§ Adrian always wears pink socks. He even wears them in bed!
§ Mr & Mrs Chambers are extremely rich. They even have their own private Caribbean island!

Here are a couple of examples with "not even":
§ My sister can't cook. She can't even boil an egg. (she definitely can't cook if she can't boil an egg because boiling an egg is so simple)
§ My boyfriend is very fit. He ran a half marathon last week and he didn't even get out of breath!
§ I don't like our new neighbours; they're not very friendly at all. Did you know they didn't even say hello when we moved in.

3. You can also use "even" with comparatives. (hotter, colder/ more excited, more shocked etc.)
§ It was very hot in Sydney yesterday, but today it's even hotter.
§ Jo went to bed at 3am but Megan went to bed even later.
§ I thought I hadn't saved much money in my savings account but when I checked my balance, I had even less than I thought.
§ I was surprised to get a letter from my wicked aunt, but when she turned up on the doorstep the next day, I was even more surprised. In fact I was gobsmacked!

4. You can also use "even" with if, when and though:
§ James never laughs even when someone tells a funny joke. (you would expect someone to laugh at a funny joke!)
§ I hope to go back to Ireland this year. But even if I don't, I'm definitely going back next year.
§ Did you know Harry bought a brand new Mercedes sports car even though he can't drive?

Practice exercises

1. Try this exercise it is very straight forward. All you have to do is complete the conversation. This will help you when you start using "even" in your everyday speech. Use "even" or "not even".
Example:
Paolo: We lost the championship. The whole team played badly on the last day of the season.
Sean: really? Even Vieri?
Paolo: Yeah, even Vieri didn't play as well as he usually does.

1. A. In England the whole of the public sector is going on strike.
B. Really? ………. the fire brigade?
A. Yeah, ….. the fire brigade!

2. A. Everybody in my English class passed their exam today.
B. Really? ……. your friend Giovanni?
A. yeah, …….. Giovanni.

3. A. Everyone was late for work this morning because of the flooding.
B. Really? ….. Sara?
A. yeah, ….. Sara!

4. A. Don't worry about it, everyone makes mistakes sometimes
B. …… you?
A. Yes, …. me!

2. This time you have to try and make sentences with "even". Use the words in brackets to make the sentence.
Example: She wears her wig all the time. (in bed). She even wears her wig in bed.
1. Joanne painted her bedroom purple. (the ceiling)
Joanne……………………………………………….purple.
2. Dave has to get up at 6am every day. (at the weekend)
Dave ……………………………………………………….
3. Frances always wears black. (on her wedding day)
Frances …………………………………………………
4. When Lisa was flying to Australia, her bag was stolen and she lost everything. (her passport)
…………………………
In the following sentences you have to use "not even".
Example: When she left she didn't say anything to me. (goodbye)
She didn't even say goodbye
b. My mum hasn't eaten or drunk a thing today. (a glass of water or a slice of toast) She ………………………………………………….
6. There isn't anything in my village (a corner shop). There ……………………………..
7. We don't know anyone in our apartment block. (our next door neighbours) We ………………………………………….
8. Sarah doesn't like sweet things (chocolate!) She …………………………………

3. This time you have to complete the sentences below with "even" + a comparative.
Example: It was very cold yesterday but today it's even hotter.
1. Eldon Square is always crowded at Christmas time but last night it was ………………. than usual.
2. I worked really hard to pass my driving test but you worked ……………….
3. That was a terrible idea for a Xmas present but Sam's was ………………
4. Pete drives very fast but you drive ………

Answers

Exercise 1
1. B. even, A. even; 2. B. even, A. even; 3. B. even, A. even;
4. B. even, A. even;
Exercise 2
1. Joanne even painted the ceiling purple; 2. Even at the weekend, Dave gets up at 6am; 3. Frances even wore black on her wedding day; 4. She even lost her passport; 5. She hasn't even had a glass of water or a slice of toast today. 6. There isn't even a corner shop in my village; 7. We don't even know our next door neighbours; 8. She doesn't even like chocolate
Exercise 3
1. even more crowded; 2. even harder; 3. even worse; 4. even faster