Although vs. Even if

AllisonC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Although vs. Even if

It seems like many of these questions can be interpreted either way. In English, the two are often interchangeable in a given sentence depending what the speaker wishes to say. Although we have many things in common... OR Even if we have many things in common...

How do we know which translation to provide--subjunctive or indicative?

Asked 5 years ago
AlanC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Maybe this will help.

"Although we have many things in common"  means we definitely  do have many things in common.  So we follow with the indicative. 

But "Even if we have many things in common" leaves doubt about whether we do or don't. The "if" tells us this. So the subjunctive is used.

AllisonC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

It does!

Thanks.

InmaKwiziq team member

Hi Alan

Thanks for your explanation. Exactly as you say, using the indicative after aunque will "confirm" that the action "definitely" happens whilst using the subjunctive after aunque will mean that "it may be happening or not". I like the way you highlight the word "if" in even if to reinforce the doubt.

Gracias

Although vs. Even if

It seems like many of these questions can be interpreted either way. In English, the two are often interchangeable in a given sentence depending what the speaker wishes to say. Although we have many things in common... OR Even if we have many things in common...

How do we know which translation to provide--subjunctive or indicative?

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