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 #2 (permalink) Thu Feb 26, 2009 15:43 pm Even if vs Even though |
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Hi Ana,
'Even' added to 'if' and 'though' is used for emphasis. 'If' suggests a possibility and 'though' a concession. In your sentence 'Even if I tell him the truth' suggests the possibility of imagining that you tell him the truth and what could happen. In your sentence: Even though I tell him the truth really means despite me telling him the truth I know what will happen.
Alan
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Alan
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| #3 (permalink) Thu Feb 26, 2009 16:07 pm Even if vs Even though |
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"Even if" is a condition: the main clause won't happen unless the condition is fulfilled. There is no guarantee that it has been or will be fulfilled.
In "if I told", "told" is a past subjunctive. This means that you present the condition as something that is unfulfilled, that is, not true - at least not now or not yet; therefore, the main clause is not true (yet) either.
"Even though" is not a condition: it is, strictly speaking, another statement (besides the main clause). Whether the main clause happens does not depend on the "even though" clause.
"Though" makes the subordinate clause a concession, that is: you admit something is true that would normally be an argument against your main point - but, in this case, your main point still prevails, which makes for some surprise.
The word "even" adds some sort of emphasis to "if" or "though", but does not fundamentally change their functions.
| Ana Laura wrote: | A) Even if I tell him the truth, he will not believe me.
"Contrary to my expectation, my telling him the truth will not be sufficient to make him believe me." Probably neither the telling nor the believing has happened (yet).
B) Even though I tell him the truth, he will not believe me.
This sentence is perhaps a bit odd: one would rather expect "told" or "have told". I would take this as: "I (will?) tell him the truth; but, contrary to expectation, I am convinced that he shall not believe me."
c) Even if I told him the truth, he would not believe me.
"I could tell him the truth (which I haven't yet); but, contrary to expectation, he would still not believe me."
d) Even though I told him the truth, he did not believe me.
"I told him the truth; but, contrary to expectation, he did not believe me."
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Note that other combinations besides these sentences are possible.
The differences I laid out between these sentences are in presenting a situation; in practice, you could probably use several of them in the same situation. It is for the author to choose how to present a situation. |
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 Cerberus™
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Cerberus™
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 11 Feb 2009
Posts: 737
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| #5 (permalink) Thu Feb 26, 2009 17:20 pm Even if vs Even though |
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| It was really helpful. Thank you to all of you. |
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Ana Laura
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| #6 (permalink) Thu Feb 26, 2009 19:38 pm Even if vs Even though |
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Cerberus, I do not feel comfortable with it --
c) Even if I told (or tell) him the truth, he would not believe me.
"I could tell him the truth (which I haven't yet); but, contrary to expectation, he would still not believe me."
If I haven't told him, then why should I use 'told'? It only sounds good when used with 'even though'.
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Gray
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| #7 (permalink) Thu Feb 26, 2009 20:47 pm Even if vs Even though |
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| Gray wrote: | Cerberus, I do not feel comfortable with it --
c) Even if I told (or tell) him the truth, he would not believe me.
"I could tell him the truth (which I haven't yet); but, contrary to expectation, he would still not believe me."
If I haven't told him, then why should I use 'told'? It only sounds good when used with 'even though'. |
"Told" is a past subjunctive here. The simple present "tell" is, strictly speaking, wrong here. "Told" is not about the actual past, it is not a past simple. I did not tell him anything.
I hate to quote myself, but there is a certain thread about "if the children went to the countryside, they would love it" or something similar:
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic35142.html |
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Cerberus™
I'm here quite often ;-)
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| before vs. ago | answer of "whats up" |
