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Even if vs Even though

Posted by Ana laura · February 26, 2009 · 2 replies

Hello,

I'd like to know the difference between these sentences and their meanings.

*Even if I go to the party, he will refuse to talk to me.

*Even though I go to the party, he...

Thank you very much

2 Replies

Even though introduces a fact : For example - I look out of the window and it's raining. That's a fact. So I'd say : I'm going for a walk even though it's raining.

Even if, on the other hand, introduces a hypothesis or non-factual event. I look out of the window and see a lot of dark clouds. I say : I'm going for a walk later this afternoon even if it's raining. This time, the rain is not a fact, just a predicted possibility.

So : Even if I go to the party, he will refuse to talk to me is fine. But the same sentence with Even though ... is incorrect. It would only work if you turn it into a factual event :

Even though I went to the party and apologised, he still refused to speak to me.

Hope that's clear.

Yes, very clear...thank you! 🙂