Concessive clause - Although, even though...

Concessive clause
A concessive clause is a clause which begins with "although" or "even though" and which expresses
an idea that suggests the opposite of the main part of the sentence.
The sentence "Although he's quiet, he's not shy" begins with a concessive clause- "Although he's
quiet " which has an opposite meaning of - "he's not shy" which is the main part of the sentence.
NOTE: " In spite of" , " despite" have similar meaning to "although" or "even though". BUT they
don't introduce clauses. They have different syntax. They are followed
by nouns or gerunds (verb+ing.) They don't introduce a clause (subject + verb.)

Although, even though:

Study these examples:
"He had enough money."
" He refused to buy a new car."
The above two statements can be combined as follows :
Although
Even though

he had enough money,

he refused to buy a new car

OR
He refused to buy a new car

although
he had enough money.
even though

Structure:
"Although", and "even though" introduce concessive clauses.
Although /even though

Examples:

subject

verb

Although it was raining, he walked to the station.

Even though she is very old, she runs fast.

Despite / in spite of:

Despite and in spite of do not introduce a concessive clause. They are rather followed by
a noun or a verb+ing form.

Study this example:

"He had enough money."
"He refused to buy a new car."
The above two statements can be combined as follows :
Despite
In spite of

all his money,

he refused to buy a new car.

having enough money,

OR

He refused to buy a new car

despite
in spite of

all his money.

having enough money.

Structure
Despite / in spite of

+ a noun,
+ verb + ing.

Examples:
Despite /in spite of the rain, he walked to the station.
Despite /in spite of being tired, he walked to the station.

Remember:
1. Although, even though + subject + verb (Concessive clause)
3. In spite of, despite + noun or verb+ing (Not a concessive clause)
2. There are structural similarities between:

"in spite of", "despite" and "although", "even though"

"because of", "due to", "owing to", "thanks to" and "because", "since ,"as",
"for". (Expressing cause and effect)
In spite of
Despite

+ noun

Because of
Due to
owing to
Thanks to
Although
Even though

+ verb

Because
Since
For
As
More on cause and effect to see the use of "because, since, as, for, because of, due to ... "
Choose the right answer:
1. Although

she is beautiful, everybody hates her.

2. The children slept deeply in spite of

3. In spite of

the noise.

earning a low salary, Sara helped her parents.

4. Jane rarely sees Alan although

they are neighbors.

5. Kate did not do well in the exam in spite of

6. Although
7. In spite of

I was very hungry, I could not eat.

the difficulty, they managed to solve the math problem.

8. Liza never talked to him although

9. Although

12. In spite of
13. Although

she loved him.

it was cold, Marie did not put on her coat.

10. Clare did the work in spite of

11. Although

working very hard.

being ill.

the weather was bad, we had a good time.

all our hard work, a lot of things went wrong.
we had planned everything carefully, a lot of things went wrong.

14. I went to hospital because

I was feeling very ill.

15. I went to work the next day although

16. She accepted the job in spite of
17. She refused the job because

I was still feeling ill.

the low salary.

the low salary.

18. I managed to sleep although of

19. I could not get to sleep because of
20. He runs fast in spite of of

the hotel was noisy.

the noise

his old age.

Your score is: 95 %

Concession and contrast: grammar worksheet

SEPTEMBER 26, 2013

Rewrite the following sentences beginning them with

the given words:
1. He worked hard, but he couldnt pass the test.
In spite of .
2. It was late, but we decided to go out.
Although .
3. She is rich, but she is not happy.
Despite .
4. She had a bad teacher. Still, she passed her exams.
In spite of .
5. She lives next door but we rarely see each other.
Although .
6. He faced many setbacks, but he didnt lose hope.
In spite of .
7. Although she is a foreigner, she speaks English remarkably
well.

In spite of .
8. In spite of earning a good salary, she finds it difficult to
make both ends meet.
Although .
9. She lives close to her office; however, she is always late for
work.
In spite of .
10. Although she works three jobs in a day, she makes it a
point to spend quality time with her kids.
In spite of .

Answers
1. In spite of working hard, he couldnt pass the test.
2. Although it was late, we decided to go out.
3. Despite being rich, she is not happy.
4. In spite of having a bad teacher, she passed her test.
5. Although she lives next door, we rarely see each other.
6. In spite of facing many setbacks, he didnt lose hope.
7. In spite of being a foreigner, she speaks English
remarkably well.
8. Although she earns a good salary, she finds it difficult to
make both ends meet.
9. In spite of living close to her office, she is always late for
work.

10. In spite of working three jobs in a day, she makes it a

point to spend quality time with her kids.
Read more at http://www.englishgrammar.org/concession-contrast-grammar-worksheet/#l99bl2T1dPffQDmc.99

CONCESSION PARAGRAPH
From: The Practical Stylist by Sheridan Baker
"Although you have taken your stand firmly as a pro, you will have to allow scope to the cons, or
you will not seem to have thought much about your subject. The more opposition you can manage as
you carry your point, the more triumphant you will seem, like a high-wire artist daring the impossible.
This balancing of pros against cons is one of the most fundamental orders of thought: the
dialectic order, which is the order of argument, one side pitted against the other. Our minds naturally
swing from side to side as we think. In dialectics, we simply give one side the argumentative edge,
producing a thesis that cuts a clear line through any subject: 'This is better than that.'" (32)

Concession Paragraph Examples (paragraph can come at the beginning or end of the
body):
Concession Paragraph From an Essay Supporting School Uniforms:
Admittedly, there are solid arguments in opposition to school uniforms. Many students express
themselves with their clothing, and they find uniforms to be an intrusion on their freedom of
expression. It's true that school uniforms would limit students' ability to express their individuality. And
one cannot deny that in the real world, outside of school, people are free to dress as they choose. Still,
there are many reasons why uniforms would make Floyd Dryden a better school.

Concession Paragraph From an Essay Opposing School Uniforms:

Opposing views claim that school uniforms would reduce bullying and teasing. One cannot deny that
students are often judged for the clothes they wear. Furthermore, it is often argued that school uniforms
help with school pride. Admittedly, some school that have instituted a uniform policy have seen academic
performances improve. Despite these points, there are many good reasons to oppose school uniforms.

Concession Paragraph Key Phrases/Sentences:

Admittedly
Granted
On the other hand
Opposing views claim
It is true that
Certainly
Of course
One cannot deny that
Some may argue
There are some solid points on both sides of this issue.
Many people see this issue from a different perspective.
Those who disagree with this thesis have some solid points.