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TasmanTiger Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

"Even if" is used as Subjunctive ?

Hello,

I'd like to ask a question :

Even if everything else was lost and only they were left,

your life would still be full.



I was wondering if "Even if" can be used in Subjunctive mood.

I think "Even if" only can be expressed in Indicative mood.

So, the example is not correct , grammatically.

Am I right ?



TasmanTiger
  

Top answer

People substitute indicative for subjunctive in all kinds of if clauses, so you will hear both with even if as well. According to some grammarians, the subjunctive is "more correct" here, and it would probably be better for you to take that approach for any courses in English you may be taking. Even if everything else were lost ...

— CalifJim

  • People substitute indicative for subjunctive in all kinds of if clauses, so you will hear both with even if as well.
  • According to some grammarians, the subjunctive is "more correct" here, and it would probably be better for you to take that approach for any courses in English you may be taking.
  • Even if everything else were lost ...
  • "more correct" But don't be surprised if you hear or read Even if ...
  • was lost ...
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7 Answers
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People substitute indicative for subjunctive in all kinds of if clauses, so you will hear both with even if as well. According to some grammarians, the subjunctive is "more correct" here, and it would probably be better for you to take that approach for any courses in English you may be taking.

Even if everything else were lost ... "more correct"

B
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Your example is in the indicative, and you think that 'even if' can be used only in the indicative, yet you assert that your example is not correct. Are you sure you understand the terms indicative and subjunctive?

In fact, 'even if' works just like 'if' in conditional sentences, and can easily take the subjunctive: 'Even if I were king, I would not knight yo
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'Even if I were king, I would not knight you.'

= 'Even though I were king, I would not knight you.' (?)

"Even though" is used in Subjunctive mood ?
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No. '(Even) though' is not a conditional subordinator, it is just a concessive subordinator: Even though I am king, I will not knight you.
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In conclusion

1. Even if can be used as both conditional and concessive subordinator.

2. Even though can not be used as conditional but as concessive subordinator.

Is it right ?

Thanks!

TT
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