This is one of the many spelling doubts that we often have, and that steal our sleep. Has it happened to you that writing a text message or a Facebook comment is a challenge for you? This may be due to the fact that you should improve your language skills.
Despite the fact that the use of spell checking tools is just a click away, it is likely that you continue to ignore the rules that correspond to the correct use of Spanish. But come! that it is not to lie down to die either; You are not the only one who has sometimes given more importance to comfort, over learning.
How many times have you avoided the use of certain linguistic forms due to ignorance?, despite the fact that its employment is as regular as the consumption of a cup of coffee. Undoubtedly, this question leads us to reflect on the little interest that is currently shown (especially by young people) in knowing their own language. But note that for other languages such as English there is more care; especially for terms that refer to the latest technologies. For anthropologists, this also expresses a vision and translation of reality, of the world. Returning to the heart of the matter, if you continue reading this post it is because you have had your doubts regarding this structure. If you have a language exam and it is giving you more fear than embarrassment, don’t worry so much and end this post calmly, because you have already become a Christ and we have not explained it to you. But if yours is for general culture, you will see how easy it is to learn to write better.
Instructions for not even or not even
The techniques to learn spelling are very varied, it is a matter of applying them in a timely manner. For example, if you are one of the bad ones at remembering structures photographically, perhaps a diachronic explanation of the use of the locution will be more enjoyable for you.
You will wonder why; very simple, some people memorize information better from various mental associations, you may like medieval stories and associate them with the use of Spanish; then you don’t forget. But if you are one of the abstract reasoners, memorizing the morphology of the structure will be a good option.
Others are more functionalists, and go to use to be able to associate the norm; Therefore, if you are of this type, reading grammar will help you, and even from the phonetological aspect. Remember that orality has a meeting point with spelling, and that is where many fall into error.
This locution originated in a time after the Middle Ages. The word even began to appear around the 16th century (some authors have preferred to take its appearance in Spanish texts such as those of Luis de Góngora, Gonzalo de Berceo and especially Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes as a point of reference.) Said locution part Firstly, from the lexical combination of the verb to want and the conditional yes . These have been lexicalized, resulting in the expressions of affirmation and denial even/not even, frequently used in the Spanish language.
Don’t be scared by the word lexicalized, this only means that a phrase starts to function as a unit independently, therefore, the word is incorporated into the lexicon. Another example of lexicalization of another type is the word Quevedos , known today as a type of glasses, and they are called this way due to Francisco de Quevedo, a Spanish writer, who popularized their use. We can see, in this case, how a proper name is lexicalized to constitute itself as a way of naming glasses.
Not even, is a locution that is used habitually in a statement for the definitive negation. The use of its predecessor even, is also considered correct when used in its negative form. Let’s see some examples that can clarify some doubts regarding the function and use that this adverbial phrase has within a sentence:
- I don’t even know what I’m doing in this place.
- I don’t understand how you got such a good grade: you didn’t even study for the exam.
- We’re not even sure it’s him.
- He didn’t even want to look at my face.
- He didn’t even commit to taking the dog to the vet.
What do you need for not even or not even?
In any case, to learn spelling you need to be guided by the norm. According to the Dictionary of the Royal Academy, the main form, from which the studied expression is derived, is even (De si y quiere, from the third person singular, from the present subjunctive of wanting). Here are their acceptances:
- ( although or already ). Give me a kiss, even the last one.
- Adverbs ( at least or only ) Give me even a hope.
The structure not even, which expresses an outright negation, then corresponds to an adverbial locution, as the copulative conjunction ni is added. It must be written separately, in the same way that phrases such as like and not like, suddenly and not suddenly, etc. are written.
Adverbial locutions are very important, and they constitute some of the phrases that generate the most doubts about their correct use when they are written. These phrases, which for some linguists fall into the category of adverbs, perform an adverbial function within the sentence, and are classified according to the purpose they fulfill within it.
So that you find out and learn more about locutions, know that in our language we have adverbial locutions of manner, time, place, doubt, quantity and the one that concerns us, of affirmation or denial. To expand this point a bit, let’s see some examples of the types of adverbial phrases used in Spanish:
Adverbial locutions of manner
The adverbial locutions of manner, are those that show the way in which the verb carries out an action such as:
- Knowingly
- In the dark
- Left and right
- By dint of
- Foolish and crazy
- Haphazard
Adverbial locutions of doubt
The adverbial locutions of doubt indicate insecurity or indecision in the action carried out by the verb; for example:
- Maybe
- The same
- If anything
Adverbial locutions of quantity
Adverbial locutions of quantity play the role of an adverb of quantity, such as:
- As minimum
- About
- Narrowly
Adverbial locutions of time
They show a space of time in which an action is performed. Some of the most used adverbial locutions of time are:
- At night
- Often
- At the last minute
- In a jiffy
- Once in a while
Adverbial locutions of place
The adverbial locutions of place indicate the space in which the action carried out by the verb of the sentence is carried out; for example:
- On the right
- On the left
- In the distance
- Behind
- In front
Adverbial locutions of affirmation
- Of course
- Undoubtedly
- Would be missing more
Adverbial locutions of negation
- Not even
- No way
- No way
Tips for not even or not even
As a last tip we will review you, that repetition is a good technique to activate long-term memory.
- Always remember to write even, since it is necessary to do it according to the norm.
- This structure is an adverbial locution; that is, a set of words that, when understood as such, represent their own concept in adverbial function within the sentence.
- Don’t even look it up in the dictionary, it won’t even appear, since there is no such training in Spanish.
- But, the conjunction even if it exists. You can use this as a synonym for although, now, alone or at least.
- When you use not even, remember that it has a negative connotation; so it will mean the opposite.
Spelling sometimes seems like a problem if we have a bad memory, but come on! that you learn to write by writing. And reading posts as good as this one.