Is Even A Conjunction? 5 Facts(When, How & Examples)

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There are some words which can not stand alone to perform the role of “conjunction”. Let us see how the word “even” plays the role of a conjunction.

The word “even” needs the words “if” and “though”  along with it as it can not stand alone to perform the role of a “conjunction.”

Now, let us see how the words “even if” and “even though” perform the role of conjunction.

When is “even” a conjunction?

There are some words which can not be used as a conjunction if they stand alone. Let us check the situations where we can use the word “Even” as a conjunction.

The word “even” is a conjunction when we add the words, “if” and “though” after the word “even” to make it a “conjunction” because the single word “even” always performs as an adverb. 

Now, we will see the meaning of the words “even if” and “even though” while using them as a “conjunction”.

ConjunctionMeaningExampleExplanation
1. “even if”‘whether or not’Even if I receive an invitation to the grand party at the five-star hotel, I will not attend it.The word group “even if” can certainly be marked as a “conjunction” as it connects the clause “I will not attend it” with the clause “I received an invitation to the grand party at the five-star hotel” to depict the meaning “whether or not”.
2. “even though”‘despite the fact that’I will not attend the grand party at the five-star hotel, even though I have already received the invitation.The word group “even though” can certainly be marked as a “conjunction” as it connects the clause “I have already received the invitation” with the clause ” I will not attend the grand party at the five-star hotel” to depict the meaning “despite the fact that”.
Meaning of the conjunctions “even if” and “even though” along with examples

How is “even” a subordinating conjunctive?

Some words require additions to play the role of conjunction. Let us see if the word “even” is a conjunction or not.

The word “even” is a “subordinating conjunctive” in such a way where we add “if” and “though” after the word “even” to help it to connect one subordinate clause to the main clause.

Now , we will learn about use of “even if” and “even though” as a “subordinate conjunction”.

  • We need to transform the word “even” into the word group “even if” or “even though” to make it function like a subordinate conjunction.
  • The word group “even if” can be certainly marked as a subordinate conjunction because it helps to connect a subordinate clause to the main clause to complete the meaning of the main clause.
  • We mainly use the subordinate conjunction “even if” to represent an imaginary or unreal situation.
  • The word group “even though” can also be certainly marked as a subordinate conjunction because it connects two clauses to make the meaning complete.
  • We mainly use the subordinate conjunction “even though” to show a real situation or fact.
  • Thus, we can state that the meanings of the subordinate conjunctions “even if” and “even though” are contradictory.
Subordinate ConjunctionExampleExplanation
1. “even if”I will go to the dance class tomorrow, even if there is rain in the morning.The subordinate conjunction “even if” connects the subordinate clause “there is rain in the morning” to the main clause “I will go to the dance class tomorrow” to depict an imaginary situation.
2. “even though”I went to the dance class yesterday even though there had been extreme rainfall since the morning.The subordinate conjunction “even though” connects the subordinate clause “there had been extreme rainfall since the morning” to the main clause ” I went to the dance class yesterday “to depict a real situation.
Ways to use “even if” and “even though” as subordinate conjunction

Examples of “even” as conjunction –

Now, we will go through sentences that are framed with the subordinate conjunction “even if” or “even though”.

Subordinate ConjunctionExampleExplanation
1. “even if”There will be no scope for reconciliation with you, even if you ask for an apology.The word group “even if” can certainly be marked as a “subordinate conjunction” as it connects the subordinate clause “if you ask for an apology” to the main clause “There will be no scope for reconciliation with you” to depict the meaning “whether or not” in an imaginary situation.
2. “even if”I am not going to give up my ambition, even if my parents instruct me to do so.The word group “even if” can certainly be marked as a “subordinate conjunction” as it connects the subordinate clause  “my parents instruct me to do so” to the main clause “I am not going to give up my ambition ” to depict the meaning “whether or not” in an imaginary situation.
3. “even though”Pijush is interested in pursuing fashion design, even though he is a trained software mechanic.The word group “even though” can certainly be marked as a “conjunction” as it connects the clause ” he is a trained software mechanic” with the main clause “Pijush is interested in pursuing fashion design” to depict the meaning “despite the fact that” in a real situation.
4. “even though”Mina is very good at sketching, even though she has excellent skills in oil painting as well.The word group “even though” can certainly be marked as a “conjunction” as it connects the clause ” she has excellent skills in oil painting as well” with the main clause “Mina is very good at sketching” to depict the meaning “despite the fact that” in a real situation.
5. “even though”I went on a solo trip to the mountains, even though friends tried their best to come with me.The word group “even though” can certainly be marked as a “conjunction” as it connects the clause “friends tried their best to come with me” with the main clause “I went on a solo trip to the mountains” to depict the meaning “despite the fact that” in a real situation.
Examples of “even” as conjunction

When is “even” not considered as conjunction?

The word “even” plays the role of three types of parts of speech. Let us see the roles that the word “even” plays in English, but not as a conjunction.

We can see the use of the word “even” as an “adverb” and a “verb” in the English language.

Use of the word “even” as an “adverb” –

Now, we are going to consider those aspects that can be emphasized with the help of the adverb “even.”

Aspects which can be emphasized with the help of the adverb “even”ExampleExplanation
1.To show extreme situationMina’s family can’t even pay their house rent due to their poor financial condition.The word “even” can be marked as an “adverb” because it is in use to show “the extreme situation” of Mina’s family.
2.To show surpriseI am surprised to see that you have come to meet me even after that humiliation you have faced.The word “even” can be marked as an “adverb” because it is used to show the “surprise” of the speaker about the behaviour of the addressed person.
3.To show unexpected moments I didn’t even expect a single birthday wish from you, but you gave me a big bouquet.The word “even” can be marked as an “adverb” because it is used to show “unexpected moments” by the speaker.
Aspects which can be emphasized with the help of the adverb “even”

Use of the word “even” as a “verb” –

We can use the word “even” as a “verb” to refer a particular activity “to make smooth.”

Aspect which can be emphasized with the help of the verb “even”ExampleExplanation
“To make smooth” / “To create a balance”We have been trying hard for the last one hour to make even the surface of the vanilla cake.The word “even” can be marked as a “verb” because it is being used to mark the activity “to make smooth” of the vanilla cake.
Aspect which can be emphasized with the help of the verb “even”

Examples of “even” not considered as conjunctions –

Now, we will go through some examples and related explanations where the word “even” is not in use as a conjunction.

ExampleRole of the word “even”Explanation
1.I can not even believe that they went to Ladakh only by means of bikes as transportation.AdverbThe word “even” can be marked as an “adverb” because it is used to show the “surprise” of the speaker about the only transportation option being a bike to go to Ladakh.
2.The carpenter asked for some time to deliver the furniture because he had to make the surface of the table even.VerbThe word “even” can be marked as a “verb” because it is being used to mark the activity “to make smooth” the surface of the table.
3.Sandip is so desperate to get the job that he will even bribe someone to get it.AdverbThe word “even” can be marked as an “adverb” because it is in use to show “the extreme situation” of Sandip’s getting a job.
4.Children must hold a bottle that does not have an even body but a curvy one.VerbThe word “even” can be marked as a “verb” because it is being used to mark the meaning “smooth” of the body of the bottle.
5.I will do the task even if it means risking my health.AdverbThe word “even” can be marked as an “adverb” because it is in use to show “the extreme situation” of the speaker to complete a task.
Examples of “even” not considered as conjunctions

Conclusion:

There are two more words that can also be used along with the word “even” but these combinations can not be used as a conjunction. These two combinations are “even now” and “even then”. The purpose of the word “even now” is to show surprise that some activity is still in action and the meaning of the word “even then” is to show surprise about an action or even after the occurrence of the action or event.