aj keby

Even if: Aj Keby

Level 4

Aj keby adds even to keby: it imagines the strongest possible obstacle and says that the result will not change.

How It Works

Keby plus aj. Keby introduces an imagined condition, and aj (even) makes it an extreme one. The result holds no matter what: Aj keby pršalo, pôjdeme (Even if it should rain, we'll go).

Forms. Because keby contains by, the verb is the l-form, and the person words come right after keby: aj keby som chcel, aj keby si prišla, aj keby sme vedeli, aj keby ste mali. In the third person there is no person word: aj keby pršalo, aj keby prišli. Never add a second by.

The main clause. It can be in the future or present when you are stating a firm decision: Pôjdeme, aj keby pršalo. Aj keby som chcel, nemôžem. It can also be a firm instruction in the future tense: Zajtra pôjdeš k lekárovi, aj keby som ťa tam mal odviesť. When everything is imagined, use the conditional: Aj keby som mal čas, nešiel by som tam.

Real or imagined? For a real possibility, aj keď with an ordinary tense is also possible: Aj keď bude pršať, pôjdeme. Aj keby makes the obstacle sound less likely or more extreme.

Variants. Keby aj and bookish i keby mean the same. With a negative main clause, ani keby means not even if: Neurobil by som to, ani keby mi dali milión.

Examples (5)

  1. Aj keby pršalo, pôjdeme.

    Even if it should rain, we'll go.

    Word by Word: Also if-would rained, we-will-go.

    The main clause stays in the future: the plan is firm.

  2. Aj keby som chcel, nemôžem.

    Even if I wanted to, I can't.

    Word by Word: Also if-would I-am wanted, I-can-not.

  3. Aj keby som mal čas, nešiel by som tam.

    Even if I had time, I wouldn't go there.

    Word by Word: Also if-would I-am had time, not-went would I-am there.

  4. Pomôžem ti, aj keby to malo trvať celú noc.

    I'll help you, even if it takes all night.

    Word by Word: I-will-help you, also if-would it had to-last whole night.

  5. Neurobil by som to, ani keby mi dali milión.

    I wouldn't do it even if they gave me a million.

    Word by Word: Not-done would I-am it, not-even if-would me gave million.

    Ani keby means not even if.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a future form after aj keby.

    Aj keby bude pršať, pôjdeme.
    Aj keby pršalo, pôjdeme.

    Aj keby is always followed by the l-form. If you want a future verb, use aj keď instead: Aj keď bude pršať, pôjdeme.

  • Adding a second by.

    Aj keby by som chcel, nemôžem.
    Aj keby som chcel, nemôžem.

    Keby already contains by, so the clause needs only the person word and the l-form.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

aj kebyLevel 4Even if: Aj Keby

Learn This First

Before Even If: aj keby, learn If It Were So: keby and Even Though. aj keby adds aj to unreal keby. aj keby contrasts with aj keď.

Words in This Pattern

keby