What does 'Even if' mean? How to use the even if structure in English

Let's explore the structure of Even if and its specific usage in this article with Mytour!

1. What is Even if?

This is a compound word of two separate words in English, 'even' and 'if'. 

• Even: dẫu, ngay cả, thậm chí…
• If: nếu, với điều kiện đó…

By combining the meanings of these two words, Even if means: despite, even if, even if so, even if… used to express reassurance or affirmation to the other person about one's unchanged mental or emotional state regardless of what happens.

For example: 

Even if it rains, we will still go to school. (even if it rains, we will still go to school).

→ In the subordinate clause, whether 'it rains' happens or not, the action 'go to school' in the main clause still occurs.

2. How to use Even in English

We use Even (Including, even, up to, only even…) in cases where the subject is talking about something unusual or surprising. 

Even có thể sử dụng trước một vế câu hoàn chỉnh, danh từ, tính từ, trạng từ.

Cấu trúc: Even + Clause

E.g: I think almost everyone loves pizza. Even my mom enjoys eating pizza, although she's quite traditional.

Cấu trúc: Even + V

E.g: I can't even remember your name. (I can't even remember your name.)

Cấu trúc: Even + N

E.g: I place paintings everywhere in my house, including the bathroom. (Tôi treo tranh khắp nơi trong nhà, kể cả phòng tắm).

Structure: Even + adj

E.g: The traffic jam in the city becomes even worse. (Sự tắc đường trong thành phố càng trở nên tồi tệ hơn).

3. Even if + what? How to use the Even if structure in English

The usage of Even if is similar to If, however, when Even is added before it emphasizes that even if the event happens, it still does not change the current state of the subject. 

In other words, Even if is used to describe a possible event that, whether it happens or not, does not affect the main clause. This structure is often used for conditional type 1, indicating something that could happen in the present and future. 

Cấu trúc: Even ​​If + S + V, S + V

E.g:

• Even if you are rich, you must work like anybody else. (Ngay cả khi bạn giàu, bạn vẫn phải làm việc như tất cả mọi người thôi.)
• Even if he apologizes, I won’t forgive him. (Dẫu rằng anh đấy có xin lỗi thì tôi vẫn sẽ không tha thứ cho anh ấy).

Cấu trúc: S + V + even if + S + V

For example: 

• We will still go to the beach even if it rains. (Chúng ta vẫn sẽ ra bãi biển cho dù trời có mưa).
• I won’t buy that house even if I am rich. (Tôi vẫn sẽ không mua cái nhà đó kể cả khi tôi giàu).

4. Distinguishing Even If, Even Though, Even So, Even When

Besides the phrase 'Even if', English also has other structures formed with Even and another word with different meanings such as Even though, Even so, Even when. Despite their similar structures, their meanings, usage, and grammar structures are completely different.

Note: Differentiating Even if and If

• “Even if” diễn tả một sự việc, hành động dù thế nào cũng xảy ra, bất chấp mọi hoàn cảnh.
• “If” diễn tả một sự việc, hành động có thể xảy ra hoặc không, tùy vào hoàn cảnh.

E.g:

• Even if it’s raining, i still go to work (Kể cả trời có đang mưa, tôi vẫn đi làm).
• If it rains, i won’t go to work (Nếu trời đổ mưa, tôi sẽ không đi làm).

5. Exercises on Even if Structure in English

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with if, even, even if, or even though

1. His Spanish isn’t very good …. he’s lived in Spain for three years.
2. …. with the heating on,it was very cold in the house.
3. I couldn’t sleep …. . I was very tired.
4. The bus leaves in five minutes, but we can still catch it …. we run.
5. The bus leaves in two minutes. We won’t catch it now …. we run.
6. His Spanish isn’t very good – …. after three years in Spain.
7. I won’t forgive them for what they did, …. they apologise.
8. …. I hadn’t eaten anything for 24 hours, I wasn’t hungry.

Exercise 2: Identify and correct errors in the sentences

1. Even I had a headache, I enjoyed the movie.
2. She eats anything. She eats even when raw potatoes.
3. Nick is selfish. Even if I can’t help liking him.
4. I will do it even it hurts me.
5. My father still leaving the company, even if they offered him a promotion yesterday.

Answers

Bài 1:

1. Even though
2. Even
3. Even though
4. If
5. Even if
6. Even
7. Even if
8. Even though

1. Even ⇒ Even though
2. Even when ⇒ even
3. Even if ⇒ Even so
4. Even ⇒ even if
5. Even if ⇒ even though