but even if

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "but even if" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with the statement that comes before it. For example: "I will usually follow the rules, but even if I don't, I will still take responsibility for my actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But even if the W.T.O.

The New York Times

But even if the I.M.F.

The New York Times

But, even if it does, then what?

The New York Times

But even if they do, what then?

The New York Times

But even if the W.H.O.

The New York Times

But even if that were true.

The New York Times

But even if it was – so what?

The Guardian - Books

But even if I was, so what?

The Guardian - Books

But even if you did, it shouldn't be a problem.

Cornell University

But even if she doesn't, Sanders's contribution shouldn't be underestimated.

The New Yorker

But even if Oman's oil output holds steady, the D.M.E.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but even if" to introduce a contrasting point that remains valid even if a preceding condition is met or true. This helps build complex arguments and nuanced perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "but even if" in sentences where a simpler conjunction like "but" or "even if" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound convoluted and less direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but even if" functions as a conjunction, introducing a clause that presents a contrasting idea or hypothetical situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a preceding one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but even if" functions as a versatile conjunction used to introduce contrasting or hypothetical scenarios without negating the main point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", suggesting a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When writing, it's advisable to use "but even if" to build complex arguments but to avoid overusing it in simple sentences. Consider alternatives like "however even if" or "still even if" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although even if

Combines "although" and "even if" for a stronger sense of contrast and concession.

even though even if

Similar to "although even if" but perhaps slightly more emphatic.

however even if

Replaces "but" with "however", maintaining a similar level of formality and concessive function. Slight change in emphasis.

yet even if

Uses "yet" instead of "but" to introduce the contrasting statement, slightly increasing the sense of contrast.

still even if

Replaces "but" with "still", which can emphasize the persistence of the situation despite the condition.

nonetheless even if

A more formal alternative using "nonetheless", suitable for academic or professional contexts.

nevertheless even if

Similar to "nonetheless" in formality, indicating that the subsequent statement holds true despite the preceding condition.

even supposing that

Offers a different structure, focusing on the hypothetical nature of the condition. More formal.

even on the assumption that

Highly formal, suitable for academic discussions where assumptions are explicitly stated.

granting that even if

Emphasizes the act of conceding a point before introducing the hypothetical condition. Quite formal.

FAQs

How can I use "but even if" in a sentence?

"But even if" is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous one, proposing a hypothetical scenario. For example, "I plan to study hard, but even if I fail, I will try again".

What does "but even if" mean?

The phrase "but even if" indicates that despite a certain condition or situation being true (or hypothetically true), a contrasting outcome or perspective still holds.

What are some alternatives to "but even if"?

You can use alternatives like "however even if", "yet even if", or "still even if" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it redundant to use "although even if"?

While using both "although" and "even if" together might seem redundant, phrases like "although even if" can sometimes add emphasis to the contrast and hypothetical nature of the statement.