Even if it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "Even if it was" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express that something would remain true or applicable even if a certain condition or situation were also true. For example, "I still would have loved him even if it was only a short time we had together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even if it was not, it may keep its independence.

The Economist

Even if it was with you".

The New Yorker

Even if it was just one bridge.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even if it was their own.

The Guardian

"Even if it was rubbish — vast, loud, strong rubbish".

The New York Times - Magazine

Even if it was a fan club record".

The New York Times

"Even if it was calculated, it doesn't matter.

The New York Times - Sports

Even if it was 90% dead skin cells.

The Guardian - Tech

"Even if it was foreseeable, it is no less painful".

The New York Times

Even if it was slightly at Carson's expense.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Even if it was a soap opera with superpowers".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Even if it was" to acknowledge a potential condition without affecting the main point. It's effective for conceding minor points to strengthen an argument.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently after "even if it was". Ensure the subsequent clause maintains a logical and grammatically correct tense relationship to the "was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Even if it was" functions as a concessive conjunction, introducing a condition that does not alter the main clause's validity. Ludwig shows numerous instances in news, science, and general media where this phrase acknowledges a potential circumstance without impacting the overall statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Even if it was" acts as a concessive conjunction, acknowledging a condition without changing the validity of the main point. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, notably in news, science, and wiki sources. While it has a generally neutral tone, it's a versatile expression for conceding points while maintaining a central argument. Remember to maintain tense consistency when using this phrase, and consider alternatives like "Regardless of whether it was" for stronger emphasis. This analysis, combined with Ludwig's diverse examples, provides a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively use this common phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Even supposing it were

Emphasizes a hypothetical scenario using "supposing" instead of "if".

Granted that it was

Indicates acceptance of a past condition, using "granted that" for concession.

Assuming it had been

Focuses on a past hypothetical with "assuming" for condition.

Even on the assumption that it was

Adds emphasis to the hypothetical nature of the condition with a more formal tone.

Even if it happened to be

Implies a chance occurrence using "happened to be".

Even if it should be

Uses "should be" to indicate a less likely hypothetical situation.

Even if hypothetically it was

Explicitly includes "hypothetically" for emphasis on the theoretical aspect.

Even though it potentially was

Replaces "if" with "though" while adding "potentially" to soften the condition.

Notwithstanding that it was

Uses a more formal and emphatic concession with "notwithstanding".

Despite the possibility that it was

Highlights the potential aspect with a longer and more descriptive phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "Even if it was" in a sentence?

You can use "Even if it was" to introduce a condition that doesn't change the outcome or main point. For example, "I'd still go "even if it was" raining."

What's a more formal alternative to "Even if it was"?

A more formal alternative could be "Notwithstanding that it was", which is suitable for academic or professional writing. For example, "The results remained consistent, notwithstanding that it was a small sample size."

Which is correct, "Even if it was" or "Even if it is"?

Both are correct, but they refer to different time frames. "Even if it was" refers to a past or hypothetical past situation, while "Even if it is" refers to a present or future situation.

What can I say instead of "Even if it was" to show stronger emphasis?

To show stronger emphasis, you could use phrases like "Regardless of whether it was" or "Irrespective of the fact that it was". These options highlight that the condition does not matter at all.