How to say “even though” like a native speaker
Introduce a fact that contrasts with the main statement. Unlike “even if”, it normally treats that fact as true, not hypothetical.
All phrases · Small talk
Hear “even though” in real speech
Clip 1 · Malcolm Gladwell
Choice, happiness and spaghetti sauce | Malcolm Gladwell · 10:21
About this video
Malcolm Gladwell tells the story of Howard Moskowitz and his work on spaghetti sauce. He uses it to discuss choices, different preferences and what makes people happy.
In context
And for all those years -- 20, 30 years -- through all those focus group sessions, no one ever said they wanted extra-chunky.Even though at least a third of them, deep in their hearts, actually did.
People don't know what they want!
Clip 2 · BBC Learning English
Neil's difficult summer job in Canada 🫛 | Practise your listening with Real Easy English · 2:53
About this video
Neil and Georgie discuss difficult jobs they have had in this BBC Learning English conversation. Their examples include Neil's summer job in Canada and the stress caused by changes to a company's delivery arrangements.
In context
It made me feel very anxious because I took it too personally.Like I said, it felt like they were angry with me, even though I had nothing to do with it.
If you heard somebody else talking about this kind of job, what advice would you give them?
Clip 3 · Susan Cain
The power of introverts | Susan Cain | TED · 7:04
About this video
Susan Cain discusses introversion and the value of time spent alone. She begins with bringing a suitcase of books to summer camp and finding that the social expectations were different from those in her family.
In context
Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Gandhi -- all these people described themselves as quiet and soft-spoken and even shy.And they all took the spotlight, even though every bone in their bodies was telling them not to.
And this turns out to have a special power all its own,
When to use “even though”
- Describing an unexpected choice: “She walked home even though it was raining.”
- Explaining mixed feelings: “I enjoyed the trip even though I was tired.”
Common learner mistake
Do not add “but” to the main clause: “Even though it rained, we went out”, not “Even though it rained, but we went out”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “even though”
“Even” stresses its first syllable. “Though” begins with voiced TH; let N move straight into it.
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A slow line to begin with: listen to how “don’t need to” runs together, then say it at the speaker’s pace.
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