"Even if we do say so ourselves..."

[englishstudent]

Hi,

Is this sentence correct?
"If we do say so ourselves, the course will be unlike any that has ever been taught."

Should it be "Even if we do say so ourselves, ...."?

Thanks

[MrPedantic]

Hello ES

Both "even if" and simply "if" are fine here. The latter is less emphatic, and so will seem more "modest" in the context of self-approbation, as in your example.

For emphasis in the second part of the sentence, you might add "before" at the end.

All the best,

MrP

[englishstudent]

Hi MrP,

thanks for your quick reponse. I am used to seeing only "even if"
in the context of someone saying something about themselves, so
I was not sure if "if we say so ourselves" is OK or not. I understand
now that "if" gives a more modest connotation. I was not aware of that.
So, thanks. In a sentence beginning with "if" I was expecting the
word "then" or another clause.
e.g. "If it rains (then) I will not travel." Also, I am used to seeing
"even if we say so ourselves" at the end, rather than the beginning. e.g. "The course will be really great, even if we say so ourselves."

BTW, it is not my sentence. I saw it on the website of Harvard Law School
which is offering free e-learning to public at large here.

[MikeNewYork]

Hi MrP,

thanks for your quick reponse. I am used to seeing only "even if"
in the context of someone saying something about themselves, so
I was not sure if "if we say so ourselves" is OK or not. I understand
now that "if" gives a more modest connotation. I was not aware of that.
So, thanks. In a sentence beginning with "if" I was expecting the
word "then" or another clause.
e.g. "If it rains (then) I will not travel." Also, I am used to seeing
"even if we say so ourselves" at the end, rather than the beginning. e.g. "The course will be really great, even if we say so ourselves."

BTW, it is not my sentence. I saw it on the website of Harvard Law School
which is offering free e-learning to public at large here.

For me, the sentence doesn't make much sense without "even". The point of the "even" is that one shouldn't expect anything but a brilliant review from us, but even discounting the source, the course will be great.

Using "if" alone makes the sentence conditional. That leaves the impression that if they didn't say so themselves, the course wouldn't be very good.