F2F Class Notes 29th March (Tony)

Vocabulary

to read somebody,   I couldn’t read him.

may – to ask for permission

eg: “May I have a look at that?”

poker face – a straight, expressionless look on your face, does not reveal your feelings

eg: “When I talk with government officials or police I try to keep a poker face.”

rapport – a relationship or good connection with someone, usually in business

eg: “Building a strong rapport with officials is vital to any Chinese business.”

“Well now it’s not vital to build a rapport for a Chinese business.”

even:
——-
The word even emphasises complementary, unnecessary or unexpected actions.

ex:
– I have cleaned the entire house, i’ve EVEN cleaned the car.
(cleaning the car wasn’t expected of me)

– He EVEN included batteries with the alarm clock he gave me as a present.
(unexpected complementary action)

– They EVEN stole the napkins.
(you wouldn’t expect the thieves to also steal the worthless napkins.)

even if:
———
This suggests a condition which would NORMALLY imply an action NOT to be undertaken; the condition is NOT true YET and it is unsure if it ever will be, nonetheless it will not stop the action.

– Even if it rains tomorrow, I will go run in the park.

– Even if she says she doesn’t love me, I will not quit trying.

Compare with using just “even”: using “if” you just suggest a condition first which would make your action to be ‘complementary, unnecessary or unexpected’ and then you say you will nonetheless do what you would do if the condition wasn’t true.

though:
———-
Though is the same thing as “even if” with the important difference that the condition is already true.
(also: despite; in spite of)

– Though it is raining, I’m going out for a run in the park.
(Despite it is raining, …)
(In spite of the fact that it is raning, …)

Though can also be used at the end of a sentence if the condition and the action in spite of the condition aren’t mentioned in the same sentence:

– It is raining outside. I’m going for a run in the park, though.
condition action
– I’m going to watch this movie. It has already begun, though.
action condition

‘Although’ is the same thing as ‘though’.

ex.
– He’s going out to the park, though it’s raining.
– He’s going out to the park, although it’s raining.

– He’s going out to the park, even though it’s raining.

Even if it’s raining I will still go jogging. 

He cooked dinner and even cleaned the dishes too.

Even if you’re serious I would take your class.

Even if Catherine doesn’t want to repeat sentences she still should.

Research the difference between although and though, bring your info to class and check it with a teacher.