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0 pointsjefftk4y ago0 comments

> In my first sentence, the 'even' can go in both places while retaining the same meaning.

I really don't think it can. Looking through examples of people using that construction [1] they are all being used to emphasize the speaker's lack of something, without any implication that if someone were to have one it would be the speaker. Do you see any examples of someone using it your way?

> Good luck with your ESL tests as well.

I don't know if it's apparent to you how condescending that sounds? But, for what it's worth, I'm a native speaker of English and have a degree in linguistics.

[1] https://www.google.com/search?q=%22i+don%27t+even+have%22

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iratewizard4y ago

I can't even begin to explain how sad that is for you.

jefftkOP4y ago

I'd interpret that as "this is incredibly sad for your", as in, it's so sad it's hard to even begin to explain it. Do you interpret it as "if anyone could explain how sad this is it would be me, and I can't"?

(It would be helpful if you could link to an example in context, where we can see that the speaker is using it your way)

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