Even vs. Ever — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 7, 2024
Even highlights equality or balance, often used for emphasis in comparisons, whereas Ever refers to any time or in any case, conveying a sense of any possibility or extent.
Difference Between Even and Ever
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Even serves as an adverb emphasizing equality, extremeness, or an unexpected condition, often used in contexts of comparison or to highlight something surprising or contrary to what is expected. It can also function as an adjective, meaning flat or equal. Ever, on the other hand, is an adverb that implies at any time, always, or to any extent. It is commonly used in questions, negatives, and after "if" to express the idea of an indefinite time in the past, present, or future.
Even is versatile, appearing in phrases like "even better" or "even though," where it stresses an unexpected degree or condition. Whereas ever is expansive, appearing in expressions like "ever since" or "ever more," indicating an ongoing or increasing extent over time.
In mathematical or precise contexts, even is used to describe numbers divisible by two, highlighting a property of balance or symmetry. Ever, however, is employed in more abstract or temporal contexts, suggesting continuity or an indefinite range of time or degree.
Even can also imply a sense of fairness or balance, as in "to make things even," suggesting an effort to restore equality. Ever, in contrast, often appears in contexts suggesting extremity or perpetuity, as in "forever," implying an unending duration.
In expressions of surprise or emphasis, even underscores the unexpected or extreme nature of a situation, like "I can't even believe it." Ever, conversely, broadens the scope of statements, as in "Did you ever imagine?" suggesting a limitless possibility.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adverb, Adjective
Adverb
Meaning
Equality, extremeness
Any time, always
Common Usage
"even better," "even though"
"ever since," "ever more"
Context
Comparison, surprise
Time, possibility
Examples in Sentences
"The score is even."
"Have you ever seen it?"
Compare with Definitions
Even
Equality or balance.
The teams are even, with both scoring two goals each.
Ever
Continual increase or extent.
Technology is ever evolving.
Even
Conditionality.
I'll attend, even if it rains.
Ever
Always.
He's ever so kind to everyone.
Even
Mathematical term.
Fourteen is an even number, divisible by two.
Ever
Any time.
Have you ever visited New York?
Even
Surprise or emphasis.
Even I was surprised by the twist in the story.
Ever
To any extent.
Is it ever possible to learn it all?
Even
Smoothing or leveling.
Use the tool to even out the surface.
Ever
In questions or after "if".
If you ever need help, just ask.
Even
The end of the day; evening
Bring it to my house this even
Ever
At any time
Don't you ever regret giving up all that money?
Nothing ever seemed to ruffle her
Even
Flat and smooth
Prepare the site, then lay an even bed of mortar
Ever
At all times; always
Caravan holidays remain as popular as ever
Ever the man of action, he was impatient with intellectuals
They lived happily ever after
He toyed with his ever-present cigar
Even
Equal in number, amount, or value
An even gender balance among staff and students
Ever
Increasingly; constantly
Having to borrow ever larger sums
Even
(of a number, such as 2, 6, or 108) divisible by two without a remainder
Any number doubled is even
A meter that reads only in even numbers
Ever
Used for emphasis in questions expressing astonishment or outrage
Why ever did you do it?
Who ever heard of a grown man being frightened of the dark?
Even
Make or become even
She cut the hair again to even up the ends
It's not exactly revenge I want, but I'd like things evened up
Thereafter prices evened out
Ever
At all times; always
Ever hoping to strike it rich.
Even
Used to emphasize something surprising or extreme
They have never even heard of the United States
They wore fur hats, even in summer
Ever
At any time
Have you ever been to Europe?.
Even
Having a horizontal surface; flat
An even floor.
Ever
In any way; at all
How did they ever manage? See Usage Note at rarely.
Even
Having no irregularities, roughness, or indentations; smooth.
Ever
To a great extent or degree. Used for emphasis, often with so
He was ever so sorry. Was she ever mad!.
Even
Being in the same plane or line; parallel
The picture is even with the window.
Ever
Always, frequently, forever.
It was ever thus.
Even
Having no variations or fluctuations; uniform
The even rhythm of his breathing.
Ever
Continuously, constantly, all the time for the complete duration.
People struggled to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living.
Even
Of uniform distribution
An even application of varnish.
Ever
At any time.
If that ever happens, we’re in deep trouble
He's back and better than ever.
We've only ever talked on the phone.
Even
Placid; calm
An even temperament.
Ever
In any way.
How can I ever get there in time?
Even
Equal or identical in degree, extent, or amount
Use even amounts of butter and sugar.
Ever
(informal) As intensifier following an interrogative word.
Was I ever glad to see you!
Did I ever!
Even
Equally matched or balanced
An even fight.
Ever
(epidemiology) Occurring at any time, occurring even but once during a timespan.
Even
Just; fair
An even bargain.
Ever
Form of Shortening
Even
Having nothing due on either side; square
If we each take half, then we'll be even.
Ever
At any time; at any period or point of time.
No man ever yet hated his own flesh.
Even
Having exacted full revenge
He finally got even with his betrayer.
Ever
At all times; through all time; always; forever.
He shall ever love, and always beThe subject of by scorn and cruelty.
Even
Having equal probability; as likely as not
An even chance of winning.
Ever
Without cessation; continually.
To produce as much as ever they can.
And all the question (wrangle e'er so long),Is only this, if God has placed him wrong.
You spend ever so much money in entertaining your equals and betters.
She [Fortune] soon wheeled away, with scornful laughter, out of sight for ever and day.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heavenOr ever I had seen that day, Horatio!
Even
Having an equal score
The teams are even at halftime.
Ever
At any time;
Did you ever smoke?
The best con man of all time
Even
Being equal for each opponent. Used of a score.
Ever
At all times; all the time and on every occasion;
I will always be there to help you
Always arrives on time
There is always some pollution in the air
Ever hoping to strike it rich
Ever busy
Even
Exactly divisible by 2.
Ever
(intensifier for adjectives) very;
She was ever so friendly
Even
Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2.
Even
Having an even number in a sequence.
Even
Having an even number of members.
Even
Having an exact amount, extent, or number; precise
An even pound.
An even foot.
Even
To a greater degree or extent. Used as an intensive with comparative adjectives and adverbs
This painting is good, but that one is even better.
Even
Indeed; moreover. Used as an intensive
He was happy, even ecstatic. Even a child knows better.
Even
Used as an intensive to indicate something that is unexpected
Declined even to consider the idea.
Even
At the same time as; already; just
Even as we watched, the turtle emerged from its shell.
Even
To a degree that extends; fully
Loyal even unto death.
Even
Exactly; precisely
It was even as he said.
Even
To make or become even.
Even
Evening.
Even
Flat and level.
Clear out those rocks. The surface must be even.
Even
Without great variation.
Despite her fear, she spoke in an even voice.
Even
Equal in proportion, quantity, size, etc.
The distribution of food must be even.
Call it even.
Even
Divisible by two.
Four, fourteen and forty are even numbers.
Even
(of a number) Convenient for rounding other numbers to; for example, ending in a zero.
Even
On equal monetary terms; neither owing nor being owed.
Even
(colloquial) On equal terms of a moral sort; quits.
You biffed me back at the barn, and I biffed you here—so now we're even.
Even
Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit.
Even
(obsolete) Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure.
Even
(obsolete) Associate; fellow; of the same condition.
Even
(transitive) To make flat and level.
We need to even this playing field; the west goal is too low.
Even
To equal or equate; to make the same.
Even
To be equal.
Thrice nine evens twenty seven.
RQ:Carew Survey of Cornwall
Even
To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance, as accounts; to make quits.
We need to even the score.
Even
To set right; to complete.
Even
To act up to; to keep pace with.
Even
(archaic) Exactly, just, fully.
I fulfilled my instructions even as I had promised.
You are leaving tonight? — Even so.
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.
Even
In reality; implying an extreme example in the case mentioned, as compared to the implied reality.
Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes.
Did you even make it through the front door?
That was before I was even born.
Even
Emphasizing a comparative.
I was strong before, but now I am even stronger.
Even
Signalling a correction of one's previous utterance; rather, that is.
My favorite actor is Jack Nicklaus. Jack Nicholson, even.
Even
An even number.
So let's see. There are two evens here and three odds.
Even
Evening.
Even
Level, smooth, or equal in surface; not rough; free from irregularities; hence uniform in rate of motion of action; as, even ground; an even speed; an even course of conduct.
Even
Equable; not easily ruffled or disturbed; calm; uniformly self-possessed; as, an even temper.
Even
Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit.
And shall lay thee even with the ground.
Even
Balanced; adjusted; fair; equitable; impartial; just to both sides; owing nothing on either side; - said of accounts, bargains, or persons indebted; as, our accounts are even; an even bargain.
To make the even truth in pleasure flow.
Even
Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure.
Even
Associate; fellow; of the same condition.
Even
Not odd; capable of division by two without a remainder; - said of numbers; as, 4 and 10 are even numbers.
Whether the number of the stars is even or odd.
Even
To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth.
His temple Xerxes evened with the soil.
It will even all inequalities
Even
To equal.
Even
To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance, as accounts; to make quits; to make equal; as, to even the score.
Even
To set right; to complete.
Even
To act up to; to keep pace with.
Even
To be equal.
Even
In an equal or precisely similar manner; equally; precisely; just; likewise; as well.
Even so did these Gauls possess the coast.
Even
Up to, or down to, an unusual measure or level; so much as; fully; quite.
Thou wast a soldierEven to Cato's wish.
Without . . . making us even sensible of the change.
Even
As might not be expected; - serving to introduce what is unexpected or less expected.
I have made several discoveries, which appear new, even to those who are versed in critical learning.
Even
At the very time; in the very case.
I knew they were bad enough to please, even when I wrote them.
By these presence, even the presence of Lord Mortimer.
Even
Make level or straight;
Level the ground
Even
Become even or more even;
Even out the surface
Even
Make even or more even
Even
Divisible by two
Even
Equal in degree or extent or amount; or equally matched or balanced;
Even amounts of butter and sugar
On even terms
It was a fifty-fifty (or even) split
Had a fifty-fifty (or even) chance
An even fight
Even
Being level or straight or regular and without variation as e.g. in shape or texture; or being in the same plane or at the same height as something else (i.e. even with);
An even application of varnish
An even floor
The road was not very even
The picture is even with the window
Even
Symmetrically arranged;
Even features
Regular features
A regular polygon
Even
Occurring at fixed intervals;
A regular beat
The even rhythm of his breathing
Even
Of the score in a contest;
The score is tied
Even
Used as an intensive especially to indicate something unexpected;
Even an idiot knows that
Declined even to consider the idea
I don't have even a dollar!
Even
In spite of; notwithstanding;
Even when he is sick, he works
Even with his head start she caught up with him
Even
To a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons;
Looked sick and felt even worse
An even (or still) more interesting problem
Still another problem must be solved
A yet sadder tale
Even
To the full extent;
Loyal even unto death
Common Curiosities
How is "ever" used in questions?
"Ever" is used in questions to imply any time in the past, present, or future, often seeking to confirm experience or possibility.
What does "even" mean in a sentence?
"Even" can emphasize extremeness, equality, or an unexpected condition, adding emphasis or contrast.
How does "ever" contribute to the meaning of "forever"?
In "forever," "ever" emphasizes an unending duration or perpetuity.
What is an example of "even" indicating surprise?
"I didn't expect to win, even in my wildest dreams."
Can "even" be used mathematically?
Yes, in mathematics, "even" describes numbers divisible by two, indicating symmetry or balance.
What does "ever" indicate in phrases like "ever since"?
"Ever since" indicates a continuous action or state from a past point until now, emphasizing duration.
How does "ever" function in negative sentences?
"Ever" often emphasizes a lack of experience or occurrence, as in "I have never ever been there."
What distinguishes "even" from "ever" in usage?
"Even" emphasizes balance, surprise, or conditionality, while "ever" relates to time, always, or any extent.
Is "even" only an adverb?
No, "even" can be an adverb or an adjective, depending on its use in a sentence, indicating balance or emphasis.
Can "even" be used to express fairness?
Yes, "even" can express an attempt to restore equality or fairness, as in "to make things even."
Can "even" modify adjectives and adverbs?
Yes, "even" can modify adjectives and adverbs, increasing their intensity or highlighting a contrast.
Is "ever" associated with positive or negative contexts?
"Ever" can appear in both, suggesting an indefinite extent in time or degree, regardless of positivity.
How do "even" and "ever" enhance the meaning of sentences?
"Even" adds emphasis on surprise or contrast, while "ever" expands temporal or existential scopes.
What role does "ever" play in expressions of possibility?
"Ever" broadens the scope to include all possible times or extents, indicating limitless possibilities.
How do "even" and "ever" function in rhetorical questions?
They add emphasis or explore hypothetical extents; "even" highlights extremeness, "ever" explores temporal possibilities.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
