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The sentence is from a British drama "Downton abbey".

Two sisters are not getting along well. One is trying out new clothes and asking what others think of her clothes when her sister is sad about something. Here is the conversation:

A: I suppose you disapprove.

B: "Not especially, I'm just amazed that even you would choose the day after I learn the man I love is dead to try out a new fashion."

My question is about the position of the word "even". It is placed right before "you". So, it sounds like it emphasizes "you". but she needs to emphasize "the action" (her trying out a new cloth) rather than her, doesn't she?

So, should it be ".....I'm just amazed that you would even choose the day after I learn the man I love is dead to try out a new fashion."

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    that you would even do x and that you even would do x are not the same thing and both are right.
    – Lambie
    Commented Jun 17, 2022 at 21:03
  • @Lambie, what is the difference between the two? Do they emphasize different parts of the sentence?
    – Yunus
    Commented Jun 17, 2022 at 21:32
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    @Lambie, not sure if you're joking about, but the point you are making is exactly right (although your first comment might have got the word order wrong). Weren't you trying to say that, "That even you would do X" doesn't mean the same as, "That you would even do X"? If so, you're correct, so I don't see why you backed off in your second comment.
    – user8719
    Commented Jun 18, 2022 at 7:34
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    @MichaelHarvey, you are right. It's real name is Mad Bonkers Drama Series That'll Make You Want to Throw Any Close-At-Hand Heavy Object at Your Telly
    – user8719
    Commented Jun 18, 2022 at 7:40
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    Even does emphasise you. As you say, Mary and Edith do not get on, and Edith thinks Mary's action is callous even by the standards of her normal behaviour.
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented Jun 18, 2022 at 8:02

1 Answer 1

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The meaning changes depending on where you put even.

I'm just amazed that even you would choose the day after I learn the man I love is dead to try out a new fashion.

She is comparing you to other people, and indicating she might have expected more from you. She might not be amazed if other people chose that day to try out a new fashion, but she is amazed that you would also do the same.

I'm just amazed that you would even choose the day after I learn the man I love is dead to try out a new fashion.

This has nothing to do with other people. Another way of saying it might be that she is amazed you would go so far as to choose the day...

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