Cool MateEven vs We're quits
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Even
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
We're quits
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: EvenMost common: Even
| Even | We're quits | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈiːvn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈiːvn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɪr kwɪts//🇺🇸 //wɪr kwɪts// |
| Meaning | Equal or level; not odd. | We are even; we don’t owe each other anything. |
| Example | She is even taller than her brother. | After I helped him fix his car, we’re quits now. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | even number, even surface, even more, even though, even playing field | we're even, settle up, call it even |
| Antonyms | odd, uneven, lopsided | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Even' is sometimes confused with 'level' in physical contexts., Learners may use 'even' incorrectly as a verb., Confusing the use of 'even' with 'flat' in contexts requiring a specific term. | Used in formal situations when it's too casual., Confused with 'we're finished', which may imply completion rather than balance. |
| Usage notes | Use 'even' to describe numbers, surfaces, or situations that are balanced. It can also indicate surprise or emphasis. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts. | Used primarily in casual conversations. It may not be appropriate in formal contexts or serious situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Even vs We're quits
What's the difference between Even and We're quits?
Even: Equal or level; not odd. We're quits: We are even; we don’t owe each other anything.
Which is more formal: Even and We're quits?
Even is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Even and We're quits?
Even is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Even: She is even taller than her brother. We're quits: After I helped him fix his car, we’re quits now.
Can I use Even and We're quits interchangeably?
Not always. Even and We're quits are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.