I don't feel better / any better / even better

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wotcha

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Jun 29, 2010
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English Teacher
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Korean
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South Korea
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1. I don't feel better.
2. I don't feel any better.
3. I don't feel even better.


1 is of course correct.

Also we often come across 2.

My question is ....

Is it correct to say like 3 ? I've learned ( and taught ) that degree modifiers for comparatives are 'far, much, eve, still. a lot, and a little'.

'I don't feel even better' sounds awkward to me since it is a negative sentence.
I think we should use any to modify comparatives in negative sentences.

Am I right? ㅡ,ㅡ
 
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J

J&K Tutoring

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You're right- #3 is incorrect. We might say:

I feel even worse. OR
I feel even better. in addition to the other two examples you cited.
 

emsr2d2

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Joined
Jul 28, 2009
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British English
Home Country
UK
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UK
"I don't feel even better" is definitely not a natural sentence. You're right that it would be fine in a positive statement:

Do you feel any better?
Yes. I feel even better than I did yesterday!
 
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