eventhough 和even if均可用于引导让步状语从句,但even if引导的从句是往往是假设性的,相当于汉语的“即使”“纵然”“就算”“哪怕”。如:
They’ll stand by you even if you don’t succeed.即使你不成功,他们也会支持你。
正因为even if从句的内容通常是假设性的,所以有时还可用于虚拟语气;这样用的even if与单独使用的if比较接近。如:
Even if he had the money, he wouldn’t buy it.他即使有钱也不会买它。
even though引导的从句内容往往是真实的,主要用于引出不利用于主句情况的信息,相当于汉语的“尽管”“虽然”。如:
He went out even though it was raining.尽管在下雨,他还是出去了。
这样用的even though与though或although的意思比较接近,许多时候可以互换(注意:英语可以说though和even though,但不能说even although)。如:
Even though [Thought, Although] I felt sorry for him, l was secretly pleased tha t he was having difficulties.虽然我为他感到惋惜,但对他的困难却暗自高兴。
在实际语言运用中,even if与even though有时也可不加区别地混用。如:
Even if [Even though] she laughs at him, he likes her.尽管她嘲笑他,他还是很喜欢她。