ENGLISH
REFERENCE

even more

fixed phr..
A2 Elementary Oxford

fixed phr.. You use this to make a comparison stronger. It emphasizes that something is 'more' to a greater degree than you might expect.

fixed phr.. A fixed phrase that functions as an intensifier for comparatives, indicating a greater degree or quantity than previously established.


SIMPLE

This cake is good, but that one is even more delicious.

CONTEXTUAL

He was already running late, and the heavy traffic made him even more anxious.

COMPLEX

The initial data was surprising, but the follow-up study yielded results that were even more perplexing to the scientific community.

Usage

This phrase is placed before a comparative adjective or adverb to add emphasis.

Teaching tip

Contrast 'even more' (emphasizing an increase) with 'even less' (emphasizing a decrease) to teach the symmetrical function of the intensifier 'even'.

Pitfall

The test was more even difficult than I expected.The test was even more difficult than I expected.The intensifier 'even' must be placed before the comparative phrase 'more difficult'.

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