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. 填空。
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. 填空。
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. 选择正确答案。
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. 选择正确答案。
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. 选择正确答案。
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. 填空。
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. 选择正确答案。
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. 选择正确答案。
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. 填空。
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. 选择正确答案。
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. 选择正确答案。
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. 选择正确答案。
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.