Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[ivygreen]

Please tell me why "Even though" isn't proper to use for this sentence.

"(Because) there are some seats still available on the express train tomorrow, my boss asked me to reserve one."

[asterix]

I think you can use, even though.
Actually, I think it fits the sense of the sentence better than because.

[cgage2]

The choice would be a matter of context. You could use either, depending on what you were trying to say.
"because" means that since some are available
"Even though" expresses surprise that one would need to reserve seats.

[2006]

[ivygreen]

Thank you both very much for answering my question.

I understand.

[2006]

I only noticed the first two responeses after I leisurely finished writing mine. I will respond further.
----------------------
Even though I understand what the other two posters said, I still would not use "Even though" in that sentence. There may be some tickets available now but they may all be sold by the time the train leaves.
I think the following sentence is very appropriate for "Even though": Even though the express train is never full, my boss asked me to reserve a ticket for him for tomorrow.

[ivygreen]

I appreciate your answering to my question.

It helps alot.

[2006]

[Lorikeet]

"Even though there are some seats still available on the express train tomorrow, my boss asked me to reserve one."

I don't see what's wrong with this sentence, as long as you understand the context. In this case the speaker doesn't think it seems necessary to reserve a seat because there are some still available.

Using that context, do you see a problem?

[2006]

Yes, context is a potential factor and one can be influenced by an imagined context. (I guess someone else thought that "Even though" was not 'proper' and that may have influenced me toward the interpretation I took)
However, I still think that 'Even though" is questionable. If the sentence said 'many seats still available' that would be a big difference to me and "Even though" would then seem appropriate.
So maybe there remains an unresolved difference, but hopefully the discussion has helped ivygreen more than it confused ?her.
Finally, I concede that on this thread I am outvoted 3-1.

[ivygreen]

First of all, I deeply express my heartfelt thanks to all of you.
I am very impressed and also I am glad to receive various information.
Of course, it is a grate help to me. Thank you so much.

[ivygreen]

As you notice, "grate" was misspelling. I wanted to write "great" .