[Grammar] usage of EVEN

[julesalvanette]

Hi again! I have some problems with the usage of EVEN in these sentences.
Could you please clarify to me the nuance/s, if there is/are.

1. EVEN she says that it is difficult.

2. She EVEN says that it is difficult.

I have read in Oxford's online dictionary that these sentences mean the same thing as in to emphasize something surprising or unexpected. But I do feel that there is some sort of nuance between the two sentences. If possible, please state some examples.

Please help! Thanks.

 

[Rover_KE]

Here even emphasises the word which follows it.

1. You'd think she would find it easy, but she doesn't.

2. She doesn't just think it's difficult – she says so.

Rover

 

[BobK]

:up: Did Oxford online dictionary really say they mean the same thing? You can see the difference. The 'even' goes immediately before the thing that is ' surprising or unexpected'.

What the source may have said is that the strict rule about word order isn't always rigidly followed when there is intonation to underline the surprising or unexpected thing - that is, in speech. So that people may say something like 'I even love her' when a purist might mischievously ask 'What? You don't <some-other-verb> her? Don't you mean you love "even her"'. (In fact, precise placing of 'even' is sometimes regarded as stuffy - though I can't for the life of me see why! ;-))

b