What is the difference among even though, even if and even when?

Question

My student asked me this question and I couldn't give her a clear answer to that question. Help please...

Answer 1

Definitions:

Even if: "despite the possibility that; no matter whether"
Even though: "despite the fact that"
Even when: 1. at the time when ____, as well as before 2. in spite of what happened when ____ 3. at that very moment when ____

My example:

EVEN WHEN Laura saw James at lunch, EVEN THOUGH they were serving pizza, she skipped lunch to avoid him. EVEN IF she were to talk to him, she knew that their friendship could never be the same again.

Remember these key words:

WHEN = time
THOUGH = contradiction
IF = probability

I hope this helps you and your student. Good luck! :-)

Answer 2

Let me give a name to each part of the sentences, so the discussion will be easier to follow:

(Statement 1) even though (true statement 2).
(Resulting statement) even if (conditional statement).
(Affirmative statement) even when (possibility statement).

In the "though" statement, Statement 1 happens without being influenced by true statement 2. Some people might be expecting true statement 2 to sometimes make a difference in the truth of Statement 1, but it doesn't. True statement 2 is a fact (past, present, or future), not just a possibility.
Example 1: "I'm going to pass the course even though I failed the midterm."
Example 2: "Susan will pass the course even though It will surprise her friends."

In the "if" sentence, the situation is like the first, but the conditonal statement is one event and may OR may not happen.
Example 3: "I'm going to pass the course, even if it surprises my Dad." (I'm not letting the possibility affect me.)
Example 4: "Susan will pass the course even if it rains tomorrow." (Susan will not be influenced. You might think she should be influenced. Joey might disagree)

In the "when" sentence, the affirmative statement is true in every instance, both when the possibility statement is known to be true and when it is known to be false, and both may occur.
Both possiblities may occur because the affirmative statement may describe more than one occurrence.
Example 5: "I'm going to answer every question correctly, even when you throw one at me I've never seen before."
Example 6: "Susan can hit the ball even when a pro pitches to her." (The indefinite present tense could describe more than one hitting of the ball.)
Example 7: "The stuntman can die even when every precaution has been taken." (The stuntman is not necessarily always the same stuntman, but the "affirmative statement" can be repeatedly true.)

Ain't English fun?

Answer 3

Mr Steele,
You are brilliant. I understood every word, and I like that English is so varied and well-subletied. Never a dull moment.