This week we're answering a student's question about 'even'. This word seems so small and innocent, but...you know, it's still English!🙄😬 So, of course it's not so simple! Today I'll show you several different ways we can use 'even' and how that changes our meaning in a sentence.

Let me give you some correct examples of sentences using 'even' together with another word, which changes it's meaning.

Now, let's see what's different about each of these phrases.

Even if: emphasises something that won't change.

'I'll never go to space even if it gets cheaper.'

Even though: gives information about two related things but emphasises the difference.

Even when: rarer, similar to 'even if' one thing stays the same and one changes.

Even so: means 'however' or 'in spite of' - My interest in the company isn't changed by my belief that it's a nice place to work.

Even now: Although lots of things have happened between now and then, nothing has changed about my original decision. 'Even now' is often used to talk about someone or something that hasn't changed over time. - My interest in visiting hasn't been changed by the time that has passed since then.

Even with: in spite of everything that's happened, my feeling or idea hasn't changed.
'Even without dinner, I'm still not hungry'. - So my state of feeling hunger hasn't changed, despite not eating dinner.

If you'd like to practise try fixing these sentences.

Vocabulary

Pick you up on this - to notice and say something, usually about a mistake that has been made.

Pep talk - a short inspiring speech

Some people might deem boring - deem - decide or imagine

Caught all of them - to notice something (often a mistake)

In spite of - without being affected by the particular factor mentioned