Even if is used to say that the result will not change, whether or not something happens that could get in the way: She'll take the job even if the salary is lower than she expected. Even if introduces a possible or imaginary event, not a fact.
How would you use even if?
Write a sentence — we'll check that the word fits the meaning and suggest what to fix.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
Even if + present, + will/can + verb; clause + even if + clause; Even if + past, + would + verb (imaginary)
- Even if the government raises fuel taxes, many people will continue to drive to work.
- Call me when you land, even if it's the middle of the night.
- Even if I had more free time, I wouldn't spend it on video games.
What changed
First versionEven if it will rain tomorrow, the match will take place.
RevisionEven if it rains tomorrow, the match will take place.
The rain is in the future, so will seems logical. But after even if, just as after if, English uses the present tense to talk about the future. So will rain was replaced with rains. In the other half of the sentence, will is correct: the match will take place.
Even though means “despite the fact that” and is followed by a real fact: Even though it was raining, the match took place. Even if is about a possibility: it may rain, or it may not. For an imaginary situation, use a past tense after even if and would in the main clause: Even if I were rich, I would still work.
Your turn
I'll finish this report tonight ___ it takes me until midnight.
Show the answer
even if — Nobody knows yet how long the report will take; it might be until midnight. A possible event like this needs even if. Even though would introduce a known fact, but here we are talking about something that only might happen.
Write about a plan you won't give up whatever happens. Name the plan, and after even if mention an obstacle that might come up.
I'm going to run the city half marathon in May even if it's pouring with rain.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.