Even if vs. Even though vs. Even so

 

Is there any difference in meaning between “even if” and “even though”?  How about “even so”?

For example:

Even if
I run out of money, I would not borrow it from you.

Could “even though” or “even so”
be substituted and used instead of even if?

Not exactly, because the meaning of the sentence changes.  “Even though” and “even if” both function as conjunction but they are not interchangeable.  “Even so” is an adverbial phrase. 

 

“Even though” states a real situation; while “even if” describes a possible situation, which may be real and may be not.


Even though = Despite the fact that

Even if = Whether or not

Even so = Inspite of that; Nevertheless

For example:

 

(1a.) I will do it even if I don’t have the ability.

= I will do it whether or not I have the ability.  I may have the ability.  I may not have.  But I will certainly do it no matter what.

 

(1b.) I will do it even though I don’t have the ability.

= I will do it despite the fact that I don’t have the ability.  In reality, I don’t have the ability to do it, but I will still do it.

 

(1c.)

I don’t have the ability, but even so I will do it.

= I don’t have the ability, but I will do it nevertheless. 

 

(2a.) Even if you are miles away, she loves you

= Whether or not you are miles away, she loves you.  You may be miles away.  You may not be.  She still loves you no matter where you are.

 

(2b.) Even though you are miles away, she loves you.

= Despite the fact that you are miles away, she loves you.  You are actually miles away from her.  But she still loves you when you are so far away.

 

(2c.) You are miles away; even so she loves you.

= You are miles away; nevertheless she still loves you.

 

 

(3a.) Even if I washed my hands, they are still dirty.

= Whether or not I washed my hands, they are still dirty.  I may have washed my hands.  I may not.  No matter whether I washed them or not, my hands will still be dirty.

 

(3b.) Even though I washed my hands, they are still dirty.

= Despite the fact that I washed my hands, they are still dirty.  I washed my hands but they are still dirty.

 

(3c.) I washed my hands, but even so they are still dirty.

= I washed my hands, but nevertheless they are still dirty.

 

Can you see the difference now?

 

 

By the way, “even” is an adverb.

 

We cannot say:

Even I washed my hands, they are still dirty.  (X)


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