Advanced Concession Clauses — Intro — Lingadoo Grammar Worksheet

Explanation

Concession clauses show contrast between an expected result and the actual result.

Although, even though, while, and whereas introduce clauses with a subject and verb.

Despite and in spite of introduce noun phrases or -ing forms, not full finite clauses.

Form

Use	Pattern	Example
Core form	Although / even though + clause	Although the plan was costly, it succeeded.
Variation	Despite / in spite of + noun/-ing	Despite the cost, the plan succeeded.
Advanced form	Clause. However/Nevertheless, clause.	The plan was costly. Nevertheless, it succeeded.

Do not use but immediately after although: Although it was expensive, it worked.

Use whereas or while to compare two different facts, groups, or situations.

Examples

Although the proposal was controversial, it was approved.
Even though the evidence was limited, the claim was widely repeated.
Despite strong opposition, the reform went ahead.
In spite of being inexperienced, she handled the negotiation well.
The first method is cheap, whereas the second is more reliable.
The results were disappointing. Nevertheless, the project taught us valuable lessons.
However carefully the figures are checked, some uncertainty remains.
While the policy has benefits, its long-term cost is unclear.

Common Mistakes

Although the plan was costly, but it succeeded. → Although the plan was costly, it succeeded. Do not use but after although.
Despite the plan was costly, it succeeded. → Despite the cost of the plan, it succeeded. Despite must be followed by a noun phrase or -ing form.
The first method is cheap, however the second is reliable. → The first method is cheap; however, the second is reliable. However links sentences or clauses with correct punctuation.
In spite of she was inexperienced, she succeeded. → In spite of being inexperienced, she succeeded. Use a noun phrase or -ing after in spite of.