Hey omonekaogunkeye, here is my explanation. 即使……也……=even thought......but still A: your husband are so busy! B:Yeah, even though today is Sunday, but he still is very busy. you always can find answer in the question. 他即使星期天,也是工作很忙。
即使。。也 。。。。 This Chinese language structure is: "even though... Still"
For example: "即使老师讲过了,我也不明白" Even though teacher explained it, I still do not understnad.
In this sentence structure, the most important is, that 1. Action were done and usually based on this action you will get something. But in this sentence structure even the action were done, you still did not get the result.
Another sentence for example: “即使我努力理解,我也不明白“ Even if I try to understnad it hardly, I still do not understnad.
So in this case, usually if you will try to understand something hardly, you will definitely understand it (and get the result from the action). But in this case 即使。。。也 you try to understand it hardly, but still did not get the result - still do not understand.
每天吃很多零食,即使坚持锻炼,也不能瘦下来。