Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[ikkrta]

Are "even if" and "even though" different semantically or in other aspects?
It seems to me that in some cases these two are actually replacealbe.
But from an English textbook, it is said that these two express different
meanings. "Even if" is used to express condition and indicate that one
situation won't interfere with the occurrence of anothersituation. For
instance, "Even if he becomes poor, she will love him."On the other hand, "even though" is used to show opposition or unexpected result,
which is similar to "although" but stronger in meaning.For
example, "Even though it was cold, I went swimming."I wonder if their
difference has anything to do with the modality of a sentence. It seems to me that "even if" is related to a main clause under irrealis, while "even
though" is related to a main clause underrealis. This is only my guess.
I'm quite confused and not sure in whatcircumstances they are definitely
replaceable and in what situations they are irreplaceable.

[Nef]

[ikkrta]

Of course "even if" and "even though" are different in meaning.
However, when doing the single-sentence practices in the textbook
where no context is provided, these two seem to be fine in meaning.
For example, "Even if it might rain, the party will still be held outside."
and "Even though it might rain, the party will still be held outside."
Though these two sentences are a little different in meaning, yet
they are both acceptable if viewed independently.

But I do find out that the subordinate clause starting with
"even if" is usually about an event which have not happened and
is only the speaker's assumption.

On the other hand, the subordinate clause starting with
"even though" is usually about an event which has happened or
about a fact which will be opposed by the main clause.

I'm not sure if my observation is right.
Please do give me some suggestions!!!!

[pinenut]