"Even as" or "Even back as"

Question

I am aware that this is a question of style, but...

When and under what condition would you start a sentence with

Even as a boy, I ...

and when and why with

Even back as a boy, I ...

?

What is a light difference? I checked and there are around 42.400 occurrences of "even as a boy" to only one (1) with "even back as a boy" (I've simply used Google to find each)

Yet, I know a novel that starts with "Even back as a boy, I..."

(It is not that I need a rigorous help here, rather I would be very glad to discuss about what you think in this matter.)

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I am aware that this is a question of style, but...

When and under what condition would you start a sentence with

Even as a boy, I ... I see this as the standard form.

and when and why with

Even back as a boy, I ... This, I see as an informal, rather 'folksy' expression. 'Back' seems redundant, and just seems to add a bit of emphasis, a feeling of distance from the time of speaking. Perhaps the speaker is now an old man?

Prepositions are often added to expressions in this informal way, eg He finished up his work.

Best wishes, Clive

Aperisic · Answer

Clive
Hi,

Even as a boy, I ... I see this as the standard form.

Even back as a boy, I ... This, I see as an informal, rather 'folksy' expression. 'Back' seems redundant, and just seems to add a bit of emphasis, a feeling of distance from the time of speaking. Perhaps the speaker is now an old man?

Prepositions are often added to expressions in this informal way, eg He finished up his work.

Best wishes, Clive

Very nice, Clive, I think that is about that. However, it is strange that I found "even back as a boy" so rare. To continue, is there a difference between:

"Even as a boy" used for "when I was a boy I practiced it and it goes on all my life, or I decided to repeat this practice these days as well" and

"Even as a boy" used for "it was possible for me to do something as a boy as well as today when I am older and more capable"

?

Which of the two is more precise definition of "even as a boy"? And in case it is possible to express both, how would you tell the difference?

(I have no answer, I'm just thinking aloud.)

(This is, I totally agree, technically similar to a slight difference between

"He finished his work" - He completed his work.

"He finished up his work" - He completed his work after a long series of events or activities by doing the last one of them.

"Up" expresses the past patience and the current joy.

)

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Very nice, Clive, I think that is about that. However, it is strange that I found "even back as a boy" so rare. To continue, is there a difference between:

"Even as a boy" used for "when I was a boy I practiced it and it goes on all my life, or I decided to repeat this practice these days as well Yes, OK

and

"Even as a boy" used for "it was possible for me to do something as a boy as well as today when I am older and more capable" Yes

?

Which of the two is more precise definition of "even as a boy"? Both seem OK And in case it is possible to express both, how would you tell the difference? I think the rest of the syntax would usually make it clear. eg even as a boy, I used to . . . even as a boy, I could . . .

(I have no answer, I'm just thinking aloud.)

(This is, I totally agree, technically similar to a slight difference between

"He finished his work" - He completed his work.

"He finished up his work" - He completed his work after a long series of events or activities by doing the last one of them.

"Up" expresses the past patience and the current joy. That's a cute way to express it.)

Best wishes, Clive

"Even as" or "Even back as"

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