Regardless Of or Even If?
Explore plans that stay the same despite changing circumstances, and learn when to use “regardless of” and “even if.”
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Complétez le blanc.
We're going on our bike ride ___ the weather.
- regardless of
- even if
Look at the noun phrase after the gap.
Show solution
We're going on our bike ride regardless of the weather.
“Regardless of” can come before a noun phrase such as “the weather.” The weather won't change the plan.
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2. Complétez le blanc.
I'll meet you for dinner ___ I have to work late.
- regardless of
- even if
The words after the gap contain a subject and a verb.
Show solution
I'll meet you for dinner even if I have to work late.
“Even if” introduces a clause describing a possible obstacle. Working late would not stop the dinner plan.
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3. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
How does the price affect their booking decision?
We'll book the hotel regardless of the cost.
- They will book only if the price is low.
- They will wait for the price to fall before booking.
- They will book whether the price is low or high.
Does the sentence set a price limit?
Show solution
- They will book whether the price is low or high.
“Regardless of the cost” removes price as a condition for booking; it doesn't tell us what the price actually is.
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4. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Would late guests make them postpone the party?
We won't postpone the party even if some guests arrive late.
- No; late arrivals won't change their decision.
- Yes; they will postpone it until everyone arrives.
Notice that the main plan is negative: “won't postpone.”
Show solution
- No; late arrivals won't change their decision.
“Even if” can strengthen a negative decision: the possible problem won't make the speakers change their minds.
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5. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What does this say about the group's departure?
We'll leave at eight even if Jordan is still asleep.
- Their departure depends on Jordan waking up.
- Jordan does not need to be awake for them to leave.
- They will leave only after Jordan wakes up.
The main clause and the condition have different subjects.
Show solution
- Jordan does not need to be awake for them to leave.
The subject after “even if” can differ from the main subject: Jordan's situation doesn't control the group's plan.
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6. Complétez le blanc.
We'll visit you regardless of ___ to change buses twice.
- we have
- we'll have
- having
An activity can be expressed in a form that works like a noun.
Show solution
We'll visit you regardless of having to change buses twice.
An -ing phrase can follow “regardless of.” Here, “having to change buses twice” names the inconvenience.
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7. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What do we know about the train's arrival?
I'll attend the concert even if my train arrives late.
- The train is certain to arrive late.
- A late arrival is possible, but it is not confirmed.
- The train is certain to arrive on time.
Does the speaker present the delay as a fact or a possibility?
Show solution
- A late arrival is possible, but it is not confirmed.
“Even if” introduces a possibility without confirming it. “Even though” usually introduces something presented as a fact.
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8. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What could still prevent the event from going ahead?
We'll hold the outdoor event regardless of the weather, provided the venue is available.
- Rain during the event.
- An unusually cold afternoon.
- The venue being unavailable.
One part removes a condition; another part adds a condition.
Show solution
- The venue being unavailable.
“Regardless of” removes the weather as a condition, not every possible condition. “Provided” means “only if.”
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9. Complétez le blanc.
We'll begin training on Monday, ___ whether the new equipment arrives early or late.
- even if
- regardless of
“Whether ... or ...” presents alternatives as a single idea.
Show solution
We'll begin training on Monday, regardless of whether the new equipment arrives early or late.
A “whether” clause can follow “regardless of” because it works like a noun, naming the alternatives that won't affect the plan.
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10. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What is promised to applicants who are not selected?
We'll offer every applicant feedback regardless of who gets selected.
- They will also be offered feedback.
- They will receive feedback only if nobody is selected.
- They will not be offered feedback.
Consider both “every applicant” and “regardless of who.”
Show solution
- They will also be offered feedback.
“Regardless of who” makes the promise independent of anyone's identity or selection result.
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11. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Which sentence presents low bookings as a possible obstacle, rather than a condition for opening?
Our decision is made: we'll open the new café regardless of the number of early bookings.
- We'll open the new café only if early bookings are low.
- We'll open the new café unless early bookings are low.
- We'll open the new café even if early bookings are low.
The possible difficulty must not reverse the decision.
Show solution
- We'll open the new café even if early bookings are low.
“Even if” highlights an obstacle that won't stop the plan. “Only if” sets a requirement, while “unless” introduces an exception.
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12. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Which summary matches both parts of the plan?
We'll publish the report even if some interviews are unfinished. Regardless of the publication date, we'll remove people's names before sharing it.
- All interviews must be finished before publication, but names will be removed whatever the publication date.
- Unfinished interviews won't prevent publication, and names will be removed whatever the publication date.
- Unfinished interviews won't prevent publication, but the publication date will determine whether names are removed.
Track which decision each expression applies to.
Show solution
- Unfinished interviews won't prevent publication, and names will be removed whatever the publication date.
Each expression has its own scope: “even if” applies to publishing, while “regardless of” applies to removing names.