Principles of use of 'even' 'even though' and 'even when'

Question

I'm looking for a comprehensive explanation regarding how to use the words even, even though and even when. I've got more than enough examples, I want explanations, principles of use.

I have a student who is trying to understand the principles for using these words. We've gone over many examples, but sometimes both even though and even when are possible. She wants to be able to determine for herself when to use the word on its own, or with though or when. Sadly, I don't know how to explain some of the differences.

I once saw a video that was helpful in explaining the principles, but afterwards, realized it wasn't comprehensive. My grammar books only give examples, and don't explain how to know when to use these words. So, I'm looking for a comprehensive explanation for how to use these words.

I'm American, but hope and expect that my post is completely understandable to British people.

Thanks very much

BillJ · Accepted Answer

"Though” occurs in adjuncts of concession. A typical example of a clause containing a concessive adjunct is:

(Even) though Kim had never been to France, she spoke French fluently.

The concessive preposition "though" expresses a contrast between the subordinate clause "Kim had never been to France" and the superordinate clause "she spoke French fluently".

I’ve bracketed the word “even” because it’s optional. Its inclusion serves to reinforce the concessive meaning. Note that “(even) though” is in competition with the slightly more formal “although”.

"Even", by contrast, has nothing to do with concession, but serves to focus on the most surprising or unlikely case. A typical example is:

Even Ed passed the English exam.

Here, there is an implicit reference to a set of people who might have passed – the pupils in a particular class perhaps – and Ed is judged to be the member of that set who was the least likely to pass.

“Even when” is also used as a focusing expression, where again there is an element of surprise, for example:

I never liked chocolate, not even when I was young.

Most children like chocolate, but I’m saying that I never liked it, and surprisingly I didn’t like it when I was a child.

That's a brief outline of the meanings and typical usage of those expressions. Does that help?

Principles of use of 'even' 'even though' and 'even when'

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