English Grammar
EVEN THOUGH - EVEN IF - EVEN SO
What is the difference and when do we use them?
EVEN THOUGH
Even though is used to express a fact, something that is real or true.
'Even though' precedes a statement of fact.
It means 'despite/in spite of' the fact.
It is more emphatic or stronger than 'though' or 'although'.
EVEN IF
Even if is used in a supposition or hypothesis.
It refers to an imaginary or unreal situation.
He had enough money. He refused to buy a new car.
The above two statements can be combined as follows :
‘Even so’ follows a statement of fact.
It means ‘although that is true’ or ‘nevertheless’.
Try these exercises:
Even though is used to express a fact, something that is real or true.
'Even though' precedes a statement of fact.
It means 'despite/in spite of' the fact.
It is more emphatic or stronger than 'though' or 'although'.
- Even though John is rich, he lives in a small house.
(John is rich, but despite having money he lives in a small house.) - Even though she likes animals, Mary doesn't want a dog.
(Mary likes animals, but in spite of that she doesn't want a dog.) - Even though the building was damaged, business
went on as usual.
(The building was damaged, but despite that business went on as usual.) - Even though I washed it several times, I couldn't get rid of the stain.
(I couldn't get rid of the stain despite washing it several times.)
EVEN IF
Even if is used in a supposition or hypothesis.
It refers to an imaginary or unreal situation.
- Even if Caroline earned a big salary, she would not buy a fast car.
(Supposing Caroline earned a big salary. She still wouldn't buy a fast car because she thinks they are too dangerous.) - Even if I had time and money, I still wouldn't go on a cruise.
Supposing I had time and money. I still wouldn't go on a cruise. I have other reasons for not going.) - I wouldn't wear that dress even if I got it for nothing!
(Imagine getting that dress for nothing. I still wouldn't wear it!) - Never confide in Linda even if she promises not to tell anyonoe.
(Linda may make promises but she can't be trusted.( - Even if Tom was offered a job in New York, he wouldn't accept it.
(Supposing Tom was offered a job in New York. He wouldn’t accept it because he doesn't like big cities.)
Although/even though and despite/in spite of are used to combine or link two contrasting statements.
- Although/even though are followed by a subject and a verb.
Even though is a slightly stronger form of 'although'.
Although and though have the same meaning and are interchangeable in most cases.
- Although/even though it was raining, she walked to the station.
- Although/even though he had enough money, he refused to buy a new car.
- Although/even though Amy was wearing glasses, she couldn't read the notice. Although/even though he disapproved, he said nothing.
- Although/even though Jack had worked hard, he failed the exam.
- Despite/in spite of are followed by a noun, a pronoun or a verb ending in -ing.
(The gerund, a verb ending in -ing, is the 'noun' form of a verb.)
N.B. Despite/in spite of have the same meaning, but despite is used without 'of'.
- Despite/in spite of the rain he walked to the station.
- He noticed the rain but he walked to the station in spite of it.
- Despite being wet and tired, he walked to the station.
- He decided to go sailing despite/in spite of the bad weather conditions.
He had enough money. He refused to buy a new car.
The above two statements can be combined as follows :
- Although/even though he had enough money, he refused to buy a new car.
- Despite/in spite of having enough money he refused to buy a new car.
- He had enough money, but despite/in spite of that he refused to buy a new car.
‘Even so’ follows a statement of fact.
It means ‘although that is true’ or ‘nevertheless’.
- Our instructor was very strict. Even so, we liked him.
- The weather was cold and wet but even so we enjoyed our trip.
- Her English wasn't very good but even so, she managed to explain the problem.
- His letter was full of mistakes. Even so, the effort he made was appreciated.
Exercise 1: even-if even-though Exercise 2: even-though even-so