Some of my students have asked me what the difference is between “even though” and “even if”, so I’d like to write about that today. The grammatical expression “even though” can be used with various verb tenses and has the same meaning as the word “although”. For example:
Even though I was invited to the party, I didn’t go.
I will work overtime this weekend even though I don’t want to.
Even though my friend isn’t good at singing, he always sings a lot at karaoke.
However, “even if” is usually used to talk about what you will do at a future time despite something which might go against your plan. For example:
Even if my ex-girlfriend is at the party, I’m going to go.
I won’t work overtime this weekend even if my boss asks me to.
Even if my company offers me a promotion, I won’t take it.
Please note that “even if” is usually used with a future situation and that the situation on which the decision is based is only a possiblity. Therefore, with the examples above, it’s only POSSIBLE the ex-girlfriend will be at the party, that the boss will ask the person to work overtime and that the company will offer the person a promotion. These things MIGHT happen, but they’re not certain.
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