A concessive clause is a dependent clause that introduces a fact or circumstance that makes the main statement unexpected. It commonly begins with although, though, or even though.
Consider:
Although the restaurant had no vacant tables, the manager found room for two more guests.
Having no vacant tables might have prevented the manager from seating additional guests. Yet the guests were accommodated.
Concessive clauses are a type of adverbial clause. Unlike a reason clause, which explains why something happened, a concessive clause acknowledges a circumstance that might have led us to expect a different outcome.
Although, Though, and Even Though
These expressions all introduce concession, but they are not used in exactly the same way.
Although
Although is common in both everyday and formal English.
Although the instructions were available online, several applicants requested printed copies.
The availability of online instructions might have made printed copies unnecessary. Some applicants requested them anyway.
The clause can also follow the main statement:
Several applicants requested printed copies although the instructions were available online.
Both arrangements are grammatical. The basic meaning remains the same, although the order of information changes.
Though
Though often has the same concessive meaning as although, particularly in everyday English.
The hotel extended our checkout time though every room was booked for the following night.
The full booking makes the extension unexpected.
Unlike although, though can also appear at the end of a sentence as a linking adverb:
The hotel was expensive. The location was excellent, though.
Here, though adds a contrasting comment rather than introducing a subordinate clause.
This sentence-final use is especially common in conversation and relatively informal writing.
Even Though
Even though places stronger emphasis on the concession.
Even though the revised design exceeded the original budget, the committee approved it.
Compare:
Although the revised design exceeded the original budget, the committee approved it.
Both versions establish the same facts. Even though emphasizes the unexpected approval more strongly.
Even Though vs. Even If
These expressions do not make the same assumptions.
Even though generally introduces information that the speaker treats as true.
Even if expresses that an outcome holds, or would hold, regardless of whether a condition is met.
Consider a community centre whose main entrance may be closed during renovation work.
| Sentence | What it communicates |
|---|---|
| Although the main entrance is closed, visitors can still enter. | The entrance is closed; entry remains possible |
| Even though the main entrance is closed, visitors can still enter. | The same established facts, with stronger emphasis on the unexpected contrast |
| Even if the main entrance closes, visitors will still be able to enter. | Closing the entrance would not prevent visitors from entering |
| Despite the closure of the main entrance, visitors can still enter. | The closure is treated as a fact, expressed through a prepositional construction |
Even if does not establish that the entrance is closed. Nor does it necessarily suggest that closure is unlikely.
The distinction matters whenever changing the conjunction would turn an established fact into a possible condition.
Concession vs. Ordinary Contrast
Not every comparison between different facts expresses concession.
Consider:
The first apartment faces the street, whereas the second overlooks the garden.
This compares two apartments without suggesting that either description makes the other unexpected.
Now compare:
Although the apartment faces a busy street, it is remarkably quiet inside.
The busy location might lead someone to expect noise. The main clause describes a different outcome.
Where While and Whereas Fit
Whereas commonly introduces a contrast between two situations:
Whereas the original design required regular maintenance, the revised version needs very little attention.
While can express a similar comparison:
While the first camera is easier to operate, the second offers more manual controls.
However, while can also have a concessive meaning:
While I understand the reasons for the delay, I still think the deadline should have been discussed earlier.
The speaker acknowledges the explanation without accepting that it settles the issue.
Concessive Clauses With Despite and In Spite Of
Concession can be expressed through different grammatical structures.
Although, though, and even though commonly introduce finite clauses containing a subject and verb.
Despite and in spite of are prepositional expressions followed by a noun phrase or a suitable -ing construction.
Compare:
Although the staircase was narrow, the movers carried the piano upstairs.
Despite the narrow staircase, the movers carried the piano upstairs.
In spite of the narrow staircase, the movers carried the piano upstairs.
All three preserve the same basic facts. The difference is in how the concession is constructed.
Using an -ing Construction
Despite and in spite of can also be followed by an -ing construction.
In spite of having little room to manoeuvre, the movers carried the piano upstairs.
The understood subject of having is the movers.
These expressions can also be followed by the fact that and a finite clause:
Despite the fact that the staircase was narrow, the movers carried the piano upstairs.
That version is grammatical, though it is longer than the simpler alternatives.
Despite or In Spite Of?
Both express concession and are usually interchangeable when followed by suitable complements.
The important structural difference is that in spite of contains of, while despite does not.
Incorrect: Despite of the delay, the passengers remained calm.
Correct: Despite the delay, the passengers remained calm.
Correct: In spite of the delay, the passengers remained calm.
Position and Punctuation of Concessive Clauses
A concessive clause can appear before or after the main clause.
When it comes first, it is normally followed by a comma.
Although the forecast predicted strong winds, the ferry departed on schedule.
The main statement can also come first:
The ferry departed on schedule although the forecast predicted strong winds.
A comma is often unnecessary when the following clause is closely connected to the main statement. It may be used to give the contrast greater separation.
The proposal received unanimous support, even though several members had expressed reservations earlier.
Although and But
Although and but are not normally used together to connect the same two clauses in standard English.
Incorrect: Although the meeting started late, but everyone stayed until the end.
Correct: Although the meeting started late, everyone stayed until the end.
Correct: The meeting started late, but everyone stayed until the end.
Either correct construction expresses the intended contrast.
Reduced Concessive Clauses
Some concessive clauses can be shortened when the omitted information remains clear.
Compare:
Although the replacement part was expensive, it proved more reliable.
Although expensive, the replacement part proved more reliable.
In the shorter construction, expensive still describes the replacement part.
A similar pattern occurs with participial constructions:
Though the technicians were working under pressure, they completed the inspection carefully.
Though working under pressure, the technicians completed the inspection carefully.
The understood subject of working is the technicians.
When Shortening Changes the Meaning
Consider:
Although the traffic was heavy, the ambulance arrived quickly.
This does not have the same meaning as:
Although heavy, the ambulance arrived quickly.
The shortened wording makes heavy describe the ambulance rather than the traffic.
A shortened concessive construction works only when the omitted information can be understood clearly and the intended meaning is preserved.
No Matter How, No Matter What, and Related Expressions
Concession can also be expressed through no matter constructions. These often indicate that the main outcome remains unchanged across different circumstances or possibilities.
No matter how carefully the contractor checked the measurements, a small discrepancy remained.
The discrepancy remained regardless of how carefully the contractor checked.
A similar construction uses no matter what:
No matter what changes the committee proposed, the original deadline remained in place.
The deadline did not change in response to the proposed changes.
English also uses related constructions with however and whatever:
However carefully the contractor checked the measurements, a small discrepancy remained.
Whatever changes the committee proposed, the original deadline remained in place.
These are grammatical alternatives, with however and whatever often sounding more formal in this use.
Concessive Clauses: Practice With Answers
1. Established Fact or Condition?
A hospital has already cancelled an in-person training session because of building repairs. Staff will receive the training materials by email.
Which sentence accurately reports the confirmed cancellation?
A. Even if the hospital cancels the training session, staff will receive the materials by email.
B. Even though the hospital has cancelled the training session, staff will receive the materials by email.
Answer: B.
Even though introduces the confirmed cancellation.
Sentence A presents cancellation as a condition and says that receiving the materials would remain possible if it occurred. It does not directly report the established situation.
2. Concession or Ordinary Contrast?
Whereas the first proposal requires additional staff, the second relies on existing resources.
Does this sentence necessarily express concession?
Answer: No.
It compares the staffing requirements of two proposals.
Neither fact necessarily makes the other unexpected. The relationship is ordinary contrast.
3. Rewrite Without Changing the Facts
Rewrite this sentence using despite:
Although the supplier delivered the parts late, the installation finished on schedule.
Possible answer:
Despite the late delivery of the parts, the installation finished on schedule.
The revision preserves both the late delivery and the timely completion.
Despite is followed by the noun phrase the late delivery of the parts, rather than a finite clause.
4. Is Though Introducing a Clause?
The journey took longer than expected. The scenery was beautiful, though.
Does though introduce a concessive clause here?
Answer: No.
Though is a linking adverb at the end of the second sentence. It adds a contrast with the earlier statement.
Compare:
Though the journey took longer than expected, the scenery was beautiful.
Here, though introduces a concessive clause.
5. Repair the Reduced Clause
A writer intends to say that the equipment was outdated, but the technicians completed the inspection.
The draft reads:
Although outdated, the technicians completed the inspection.
What needs to change?
Answer:
The shortened construction although outdated appears to describe the technicians.
A clearer sentence is:
Although the equipment was outdated, the technicians completed the inspection.
The full clause identifies exactly what was outdated.
6. Choose and Punctuate the Correct Construction
A theatre’s heating system failed shortly before a performance. The audience stayed until the end.
Complete the sentence using although, despite, or even if, making any necessary grammatical changes.
______ the heating system failed, the audience stayed until the end.
Answer:
Although the heating system failed, the audience stayed until the end.
Although introduces the established fact through a finite concessive clause.
Despite requires restructuring:
Despite the failure of the heating system, the audience stayed until the end.
Even if would not be an equivalent replacement because it would present the failure as a condition rather than directly reporting the actual event.
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