Even Though and Even If
2022-01-15
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1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher we answer a question from a reader in China.
2There is a question I've been thinking about for a long time.
3What is the difference between "even though" and "even if?" Could you tell me the answer? Thank you.
4Roy, China.
5Dear Roy,
6Thanks for writing to us.
7You asked a question that many learners of English have. Let us begin with "even though."
8"Even though" comes before a statement of fact.
9It has a similar use to the word "but."
10Here are examples about travel to your country, Roy:
11I want to travel to China, but I cannot because of COVID travel restrictions.
12Now, see how you can say the same thing with the expression "even though:"
13Even though I want to visit China, I cannot because of the pandemic.
14Compare these statements with even though and the expression "despite the fact that."
15Despite the fact that snow fell on Monday, our schools opened.
16Our schools opened Monday even though there was snow.
17In both statements, it is true that snow fell Monday and although our schools often close due to snow, they did not on this day.
18Grammar expert Betty Azar says that statements with "even if" are similar to ones with "whether or not."
19"Even if" tells us that there is a certain condition that does not matter. Compare these examples.
20I will take the dog for a walk even if it is raining.
21Whether or not it is raining, I will take the dog for a walk.
22For both statements, the rain is possible, but may not happen.
23You will sometimes find that "even if" describes an unreal situation.
24Even if I could travel to Mars, I would not go there.
25I cannot attend the party, even if you could change the time.
26In these examples, it is impossible to travel to Mars and the time of the party cannot be changed.
27However, the speakers say that in any case, they are not interested in traveling to Mars and are not able to attend the party.
28I hope this helps you understand the difference between "even if" and "even though," Roy.
29What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
30And that's Ask a Teacher.
31I'm Jill Robbins.
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher we answer a question from a reader in China. 2Question: 3There is a question I've been thinking about for a long time. What is the difference between "even though" and "even if?" Could you tell me the answer? Thank you. 4Roy, China. 5Answer: 6Dear Roy, 7Thanks for writing to us. You asked a question that many learners of English have. Let us begin with "even though." 8Even though 9"Even though" comes before a statement of fact. It has a similar use to the word "but." Here are examples about travel to your country, Roy: 10I want to travel to China, but I cannot because of COVID travel restrictions. 11Now, see how you can say the same thing with the expression "even though:" 12Even though I want to visit China, I cannot because of the pandemic. 13Compare these statements with even though and the expression "despite the fact that." 14Despite the fact that snow fell on Monday, our schools opened. 15Our schools opened Monday even though there was snow. 16In both statements, it is true that snow fell Monday and although our schools often close due to snow, they did not on this day. 17Even if 18Grammar expert Betty Azar says that statements with "even if" are similar to ones with "whether or not." "Even if" tells us that there is a certain condition that does not matter. Compare these examples. 19I will take the dog for a walk even if it is raining. 20Whether or not it is raining, I will take the dog for a walk. 21For both statements, the rain is possible, but may not happen. 22You will sometimes find that "even if" describes an unreal situation. 23Even if I could travel to Mars, I would not go there. 24I cannot attend the party, even if you could change the time. 25In these examples, it is impossible to travel to Mars and the time of the party cannot be changed. However, the speakers say that in any case, they are not interested in traveling to Mars and are not able to attend the party. 26I hope this helps you understand the difference between "even if" and "even though," Roy. 27What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com 28And that's Ask a Teacher. 29I'm Jill Robbins. 30Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 31__________________________________________________________________ 32Words in This Story 33despite - prep. without being prevented by (something) - used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true 34Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.