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Taka Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
May
Even if they say 'no', I'm not going to give up.
Even if it is difficult, you still need to do it.
Do these versions also work?
Even if they may say 'no', I'm not going to give up.
Even if it may be difficult, you still need to do it.
Even if it is difficult, you still need to do it.
Do these versions also work?
Even if they may say 'no', I'm not going to give up.
Even if it may be difficult, you still need to do it.
Top answer
, Even though they may say 'no', I'm not going to give up.
- , Even though they may say 'no', I'm not going to give up.
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7 Answers
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I don't know about the grammar, but I suggest "though" for the second set, eg., Even though they may say 'no', I'm not going to give up.
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I know 'even though ...may...' works. I'd like to know if it also works with 'even if'.
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TakaDo these versions also work?Yes. "even though ... may" and "although ... may" both sound a little better to my ear, but "even if ... may" is certainly just as commonly said.
CJ
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The word "may" is a conditional, a word that injects probability, doubt, uncertainty, etc. into a sentence. But the words "even if" and "no," and the clauses, "I'm not going to give up" and "you still need to do it," all express definiteness and certainty. Thus you cannot use the word "may" in the 3rd and 4th sentences.
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Thank you, Jim!
Would you disagree with what annon says?
And what about 'might'? Do you think it also works?
Would you disagree with what annon says?
And what about 'might'? Do you think it also works?
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TakaWould you disagree with what annon says?I would.
TakaAnd what about 'might'? Do you think it also works?Yes. At least for me it does. In American English 'may' and 'might' are virtually synonymous. There are exceedingly few differences in usage.
CJ
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