sɛ ... mpo a (Even If)
Even if: Sɛ ... Mpo a
Sɛ + condition + mpo a = even if: Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo a, mɛba. (Even if it rains, I will come.)
How It Works
1. From if to even if
- Sɛ nsuo tɔ a, merenkɔ. (If it rains, I will not go.)
- Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo a, mɛkɔ. (Even if it rains, I will go.)
With mpo, the rain no longer changes anything. The listener hears that the result holds anyway.
2. Where mpo goes
Mpo usually comes at the end of the condition, right before a: Sɛ menni sika mpo a (even if I have no money). You will also meet mpo at the start, Mpo sɛ ... a, with the same meaning.
3. The condition
The condition can be in the plain form (Sɛ ɔtua me mpo a, even if he pays me), the perfect (Sɛ wawu mpo a, even if he has died) or the negative (Sɛ menni sika mpo a). The main clause often uses bɛ- or the negative future.
4. Standing firm
Sɛ ... mpo a often goes with a contrast marked by deɛ: Sɛ wo nnamfo nyinaa kɔ mpo a, me deɛ, mɛtena ha (Even if all your friends leave, I will stay here).
5. Related patterns
For unless, see Unless: gye sɛ. For whether ... or, see Whether ... Or: sɛ ... o, sɛ ... o.
Examples (5)
- Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo a, mɛba.
Even if it rains, I will come.
Word by Word: if rain falls even a, I-will-come
Mpo comes right before the closing a.
- Sɛ ɔtua me mpo a, merenyɛ.
Even if he pays me, I won't do it.
The main clause is a negative future, and it (the task) is left unsaid.
- Sɛ menni sika mpo a, mɛboa wo.
Even if I have no money, I will help you.
The condition itself is negative.
- Sɛ wo nnamfo nyinaa kɔ mpo a, me deɛ, mɛtena ha.
Even if all your friends leave, I will stay here.
Deɛ sets me apart from the friends.
- Sɛ ɛyɛ den mpo a, merennyae.
Even if it is hard, I won't give up.
Gyae (stop) becomes nnyae after the negative nasal.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out mpo when even if is meant.
Sɛ nsuo tɔ a, mɛba.Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo a, mɛba.Without mpo, the sentence means If it rains, I will come, as if the rain were a reason to come. Mpo says the rain does not matter.
Dropping the closing a.
Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo, mɛba.Sɛ nsuo tɔ mpo a, mɛba.Sɛ ... mpo a is still an if-clause, so it must close with a after mpo.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Even if combines a condition with mpo.
Related Patterns
- gye sɛ (Unless)Unless: Gye Sɛ
Unless names the one condition that would change things; even if says nothing will.
Level 5 - sɛ ... o, sɛ ... oWhether ... or: Sɛ ... O, Sɛ ... O
Whether ... or also says the result holds either way.
Level 5 - deɛ (As For)As for: Deɛ
A contrast with deɛ often follows sɛ ... mpo a.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice sɛ ... mpo a (Even If) in Bubblegum
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