Concession clauses

Use concession clauses to give information that contrasts with the information in the main clause.

 The clauses can be introduced with conjunctions such as although, however, even through, etc.

Although he was a good linguist, he took five years to learn Mandarin.

 We can also use while and whilst (formal) to replace although.

While/Whilst I’d like to be with you, I have to attend a meeting.

 Use much as to replace although with verbs of liking and hating to talk about strong feelings.

Much as we appreciate your effort, sadly we won’t be able to use the report.

 Use adjective/adverb + as/through + subject + verb clause for emphatic sentences.

Hard as we tried, we failed to get hold of anybody.

Difficult though it was, we eventually secured the premises.

 Use however/whatever/wherever, etc. to express the idea of ‘no matter what/who/where’, etc.

Whatever he says, I’m going anyway.

 Use in spite of and despite + noun phrase/-ing form to express contrast.

In spite of the fact that we had no ID on us, the porter let us in.

Despite feeling awful, we stayed until the end.

Note: Sentences using in spite of/despite are not concession clauses, as the linker is not followed by a
verb clause, but is followed by a noun/-ing form.

 We can use adverbs and adverbial phrases to introduce contrast.

We were exhausted but we carried on all the same.

We were exhauster. Nevertheless, we carried on.