Publication Date
4-20-2026
Abstract
Emily is a Senior communication major with a Business Administration minor. She is originally from Merrimack, NH, and is planning on working in PR or something similar when she graduates in May.
What does “even” do in conversation? This study shows that when used mid-turn, “even” functions as a systematic device for intensifying stance. Analyzing naturally occurring interactions, I demonstrate how speakers use “even” to upgrade assessments, noticings, and complaints, making them more extreme or noteworthy. Recipients consistently orient to this intensification through agreement, accounts, or escalation. Even when the upgrade is left incomplete, others step in to realize it, showing that the practice is collaboratively achieved. These findings position “even” as a key but previously overlooked resource for organizing social action in talk.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Emily
(2026)
"Do We Even Know What ‘Even’ Does? A CA Investigation,"
Comm-entary: Vol. 22:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://scholars.unh.edu/comm-entary/vol22/iss1/3
