Rule 1: You should put a comma before “even” when it is the first word of a non-defining clause.
This means that if you remove the clause, the sentence still makes sense.
- Correct: She gave her all for her career, even her life itself.
- Incorrect: She gave her all for her career even her life itself.
Rule 2: You should put a comma before “even” when it is part of a list of adjectives.
In this sense, the word “even” means “flat” or “featureless.”
- Correct: They walked across the soft, even grass until they reached a gate.
- Incorrect: They walked across the soft even grass until they reached a gate.
Rule 3: You should use a comma before “even so” and “even when” when they start the second clause.
- Correct: We have no money, even so, we must buy Christmas presents
- Incorrect: We have no money even so we must buy Christmas presents
Rule 4: You can put a comma before “even though” or “even if” if it starts the second clause in a sentence.
However, it is not essential to do so.
- Correct: He got the promotion, even though he didn’t deserve it.
- Correct: He got the promotion even though he didn’t deserve it.
Rule 5: Do not put a comma before “even” when it is a verb.
- Correct: We will even up the score in the second half.
- Incorrect: We will, even up the score in the second half.
Rule 6: When “even” is an adverb, you generally do not need to put a comma.
- Correct: He didn’t even say hello.
- Incorrect: He didn’t, even say hello.
The rest of this page describes in more detail how you can use commas correctly with the term “even.” We trust that this will clear out any doubts you may have at the moment.
When to Use a Comma Before “Even”
When you need to decide when to use a comma before “even,” you should refer to Rules 1 to 4.
Rule 1: Use a comma before “even” when it is the first word of a non-essential clause.
This rule is also true for formal writing styles such as the Chicago Manual of Style.
- Some might say his performance was bad, even terrible, but he still managed to win.
- The sun can cause sunstroke, even cancer, so you must use sunscreen.
Rule 2: Use a comma before “even” when it is in a list of adjectives.
As an adjective, “even” means “flat” as well as “fair.” It also refers to numbers that are not odd, i.e., 2, 4, 6, etc.
- They had a long, even, and challenging contest.
- They made the roof from long, even, brown wooden beams.
Rule 3: Use a comma before “even so” and “even when” if they start the second clause.
- She had a headache, even so, she agreed to help.
- He still didn’t give up, even when it looked like he would lose.
You can also use a semicolon for “even so” or “even more so” if the following clause is independent.
- I love the arts; even more so, I love going to the theatre.
Rule 4: You can use a comma before “even though” or “even if” if they start a second clause.
However, there are many occasions when you don’t need commas.
- I am not going to the party even if everyone else is going.
- Give your all, even if the task seems impossible.
In these examples, the decision to put a comma is a style preference rather than a rule.
- She is not coming even though we told her a week ago.
- She didn’t make it to the party, even though she said she would come.
When to Avoid a Comma Before “Even”
Rules 5 and 6 describe when you shouldn’t place a comma before “even.”
Rule 5: You shouldn’t use a comma before “even” when it operates as a verb.
In this context, “even” means making something “even,” such as a score or an object like wood.
Here are some examples of “even” being used in this context:
- I will even the score by beating him tomorrow.
- They need to even out the imperfections in the concrete.
Rule 6: You shouldn’t use a comma before “even” when it is a general adverb in the middle of a sentence.
In this context, you use the word “even” to emphasize a verb or something else in the sentence.
Review these examples to see what we mean:
- They even had free drinks as well as food.
- He asked for money and even had the nerve to ask for a lift.
Conclusion
Put a comma before “even” in a list of adjectives or as the first word in a non-defining clause. Also, use a comma before “even so” and “even when” if they start a second clause. Don’t use a comma when “even” is a regular adverb. E.g., “She didn’t even call.”