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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

even?

Which of the following sentences are correct?

a)"I had not caught even a wink of sleep all night."
b) I had not even caught a wink of sleep all night."
  

Top answer

You have to be careful with "even," "just," and "only" to make sure they modify the right things, but you're OK here with either. " "Even" goes with the wink, so you didn't drop off for a moment. " So you had a whole sleepless night.

— Deadrat

  • You have to be careful with "even," "just," and "only" to make sure they modify the right things, but you're OK here with either.
  • " "Even" goes with the wink, so you didn't drop off for a moment.
  • " So you had a whole sleepless night.
  • " I couldn't hit it, but maybe I could gently tap it.
  • " I could hit lots of (presumably) easier targets, but not the wall.
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2 Answers
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You have to be careful with "even," "just," and "only" to make sure they modify the right things, but you're OK here with either.

"I had not caught even (a wink) of sleep all night." "Even" goes with the wink, so you didn't drop off for a moment.

"I had not even (caught) a wink of sleep all night." "Even" is close to the verb "caught," but there's really nothing else you an do
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deadratYou have to be careful with "even," "just," and "only" to make sure they modify the right things,
Purists are careful, but many native speakers don't worry.
deadrat"I couldn't even hit the wall." I couldn't hit it, but maybe I could gently tap it."I couldn't hit even the wall." I could hit lots of (presumably) easier targets, bu
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