Grammar Practice in Context - David Bolton, Noel Goodey 1997

84 Even: Even my father was there. She didn’t even speak to me

Quick reference

Even means that something is surprising or unexpected.

• We can use even before a noun.

He’s a famous rock singer. It’s amazing. Even my grandfather liked him.

(His grandfather doesn’t usually like modern music, so this was surprising.) • We can also use even on its own. Note its position.

• We can use even with comparatives. His German is good, and his English is even better.

This restaurant is expensive, but the one in Broad Street is even more expensive.

• We sometimes use not even (-n't even).

I didn’t drink anything, not even a glass of wine. He’s rude. He didn’t even say hello.

• We can use even before if and when.

I won’t speak to him again even if he apologises. He talks all the time, even when he’s asleep.

1 Jenny Daniels does not like theme parks, but last week a friend took her to Eurodisney. She was surprised by what she did. Add even to these sentences. Mark (*) its position.

1 She had her photograph taken with Mickey Mouse.

2 She went on the Space Mountain ride, although she hates being in the dark.

3 She bought herself a silly Donald Duck hat.

4 Her friend was surprised that Jenny enjoyed it so much.

5 Jenny’s decided to go again next year.

2 Luke has come to the same club for the second time. Make sentences, using even + a comparative.

Example: It was expensive the first time. Now it’s even more expensive.

1 Luke felt good when he arrived. Now after an hour’s dancing ...

2 The music was loud when he came in. Now ...

3 It was hot in the club at first. Now ...

4 He was feeling thirsty after the first ten minutes. Now ...

5 He’s interested in a dark-haired girl. She’s just bought him a drink, so now ...

3 Sarah met a boy she really liked at a party last week. She wants to meet him again, but there are problems. Complete the sentences, using not even/-n’t even.

1 She ... know his name.

2 She danced with him, but he ... talk to her.

3 She hasn’t got his telephone number, so she ... phone him.

4 He didn’t give her anything ... his address.

5 ... see him leave the party.

6 No-one seems to know him ... the person who organised the party.