Can I use the word "even" if I mean that smth had no way to happen or smth is impossible to happen? For example: "Who even knew it?" in meaning that nobody have a chance to knew something. "I didn't e

Vasiliy

Can I use the word "even" if I mean that smth had no way to happen or smth is impossible to happen? For example: "Who even knew it?" in meaning that nobody have a chance to knew something. "I didn't even go there" in meaning that I had no way to go to the some place. "I don't even have any idea about it" in meaning that I really don't have an idea about something.

Sep 18, 2018 8:51 PM

Answers · 3

1. A good way to work out if "even" is a good word is to create some context comparison. e.g. How could I be an expert on the city of Moscow? I have not even visited it once . [ = Visiting Moscow once is a minimal requirement if you want to try to become an expert on it] e.g. How can he pass his English exam? He has not even bought a coursebook. 2. I have no idea ...." is already emphatic. Adding "even" does not help. 3. Nobody had the possibility to know ... = Nobody could have known ..... "even" is not necessary for the meaning.

September 18, 2018

Still haven’t found your answers?

Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!