Although v. “Even if”This lesson describes “although” and “even if” as “similar” but states that “although” is “more elegant and subtle” than “even if.” This is not quite right. There is a significant difference in meaning. “Although” is usually followed by a concession/affirmation of fact, while “even if” is followed by a hypothetical assumption (without a concession/affirmation of fact).
For example:
“Although I stole the hat, I did not deserve the death penalty.” — I am admitting I stole the hat.
“Even if I stole the hat, I did not deserve the death penalty.” There is ambiguity here. I am not necessarily admitting I stole the hat. I am saying that, even assuming I stole the hat, I don’t deserve the death penalty.
It’s unclear to me if there is a similar distinction in meaning in French between bien que and meme si which explains why one form takes indicative and the other subjunctive. I would expect the version that is closer to although and which affirms a fact to take indicative, and the other subjunctive. At least that is how it works in Spanish - “aunque” with indicative is “although,” and “aunque” with subjunctive is “even if.”
On a test we have "Vous devenez de plus en plus beaux."
1. Pourquoi beaux pluriel?
2. In the audio the first plus the S is heard and the second plus the S is silent. Is it because of the liason?
Merci pour votre aide
This lesson describes “although” and “even if” as “similar” but states that “although” is “more elegant and subtle” than “even if.” This is not quite right. There is a significant difference in meaning. “Although” is usually followed by a concession/affirmation of fact, while “even if” is followed by a hypothetical assumption (without a concession/affirmation of fact).
For example:
“Although I stole the hat, I did not deserve the death penalty.” — I am admitting I stole the hat.
“Even if I stole the hat, I did not deserve the death penalty.” There is ambiguity here. I am not necessarily admitting I stole the hat. I am saying that, even assuming I stole the hat, I don’t deserve the death penalty.
It’s unclear to me if there is a similar distinction in meaning in French between bien que and meme si which explains why one form takes indicative and the other subjunctive. I would expect the version that is closer to although and which affirms a fact to take indicative, and the other subjunctive. At least that is how it works in Spanish - “aunque” with indicative is “although,” and “aunque” with subjunctive is “even if.”
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