Practice
Concession clauses: acknowledge a contrast
You can admit that one fact is true while still giving a different result. In Although the train was late, the team reached the interview on time, the first part names a difficulty and the second part gives the result.
Use concession clauses and phrases to acknowledge a contrasting fact, choose a clause or noun phrase after the connector, and punctuate the sentence clearly.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Although it was raining, the market stayed open. /ɔːlˈðəʊ ɪt wəz ˈreɪnɪŋ, ðə ˈmɑːkɪt steɪd ˈəʊpən/
The short answer
Use although, even though, or though before a complete clause. Use despite or in spite of before a noun phrase or an -ing form. Put a comma after the opening concession clause when it comes before the main clause.
Although it was raining, the market stayed open.
Why it works: Although is followed by it was raining, which has a subject and a verb.
4 more examples
-
Even though Malik had rehearsed, he spoke slowly at first.
The clause presents a fact that makes the result seem unexpected.
Not this:
Despite his rehearsal, Malik spoke slowly at first. What changes: The meaning stays close, but despite is followed by the noun phrase his rehearsal. -
Though the instructions were brief, the task was clear.
Though introduces a full clause and can show the same basic contrast as although.
Not this:
Despite the brief instructions, the task was clear. What changes: The second sentence uses despite because the words after it form a noun phrase. -
Despite working late, Ana sent the revised proposal before midnight.
Despite can be followed by an -ing form when the action is named without a separate subject.
Not this:
Although Ana worked late, she sent the revised proposal before midnight. What changes: Although needs the subject Ana and the verb worked to make a full clause. -
The route was longer than expected. We arrived before noon, though.
At the end of a sentence, though adds a short afterthought that contrasts with the earlier statement.
Not this:
Although the route was longer than expected, we arrived before noon. What changes: Although introduces the contrast at the start of the sentence instead of adding it at the end.
Read the full guide
First, find the fact that might make the result seem unlikely. Then check what comes after the connector. If it has a subject and verb, choose although, even though, or though. If it is a noun phrase or an -ing form, choose despite or in spite of. Finally, use punctuation that shows where the opening clause ends.
Name the fact and the result
A concession sentence has two parts. One part names a fact, and the other gives a result that may seem surprising after that fact. Both parts are true. The connector tells the reader to hold the two ideas together.
Although it was raining, the market stayed open.
It was raining is the fact. The market stayed open is the result that contrasts with what the reader may expect from that fact.
Despite the rain, the market stayed open.
These sentences have a similar meaning. The first uses a full clause after although. The second uses the noun phrase the rain after despite.
Which part gives the contrasting result in Although it was raining, the market stayed open?
The market stayed open gives the contrasting result. The earlier clause accepts that it was raining.
Use a clause after although
Although, even though, and though are followed by a clause. A clause normally has a subject and a verb. Check the words after the connector before you choose it.
Even though Malik had rehearsed, he spoke slowly at first.
Malik is the subject and had rehearsed is the verb phrase. Together, they make the clause that follows even though.
Though the instructions were brief, the task was clear.
The instructions were brief is also a full clause. Though can introduce it in the same position as although.
Which connector fits before the full clause the team had little time: although or despite?
Use although: Although the team had little time, it finished the task. The words after the connector have a subject and a verb.
Use a noun phrase after despite
Despite and in spite of do not take a complete clause directly after them. Follow them with a noun phrase, a pronoun, or an -ing form. If you need a full clause, use although, even though, or though instead.
Despite his rehearsal, Malik spoke slowly at first.
His rehearsal is a noun phrase. It names the preparation without repeating Malik had rehearsed.
Despite working late, Ana sent the revised proposal before midnight.
Working late is an -ing form. It can follow despite because it names an action without making a separate full clause.
Complete the sentence: ___ the traffic, we arrived on time.
Use Despite: Despite the traffic, we arrived on time. The traffic is a noun phrase.
Put the opening clause in its place
A concession clause can come before or after the main clause. When it comes first, use a comma after it. When it comes after the main clause, a comma is usually not needed. Keep the connector close to the clause or phrase it introduces.
Although Ana worked late, she sent the revised proposal before midnight.
The comma marks the end of the opening concession clause before the main clause begins.
Ana sent the revised proposal before midnight although she worked late.
Here the concession clause follows the main clause, so the sentence does not need a comma before although.
Where does the comma go in Although the meeting ended late we caught the last bus?
Put it after late: Although the meeting ended late, we caught the last bus. The comma closes the opening clause.
Choose the amount of emphasis
Although and though can state a straightforward contrast. Even though gives more weight to the fact before the result. In informal conversation and writing, though can also appear at the end of a sentence as a short added contrast.
The route was longer than expected. We arrived before noon, though.
Though refers back to the longer route and adds the contrasting result after the main statement.
Even though the room was crowded, everyone could hear the speaker.
Even though draws more attention to the crowded room before giving the result that everyone could hear.
Can you use although and but together in Although the room was crowded, but everyone could hear?
No. Use one connector for this contrast: Although the room was crowded, everyone could hear, or The room was crowded, but everyone could hear.
Before you go
Remember this
Use a concession connector when a true fact does not lead to the result the reader may expect. Although, even though, and though take a clause. Despite and in spite of take a noun phrase or an -ing form. When the concession clause comes first, follow it with a comma before the main clause.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Concession clauses: acknowledge a contrast"
What is a concession clause?
A concession clause acknowledges a fact before giving a result that may seem unexpected. In Although it was raining, the market stayed open, the rain is accepted as true, while the market staying open is the contrasting result.
Although it was raining, the market stayed open.
What can follow although or even though?
Although, even though, and though are followed by a complete clause with a subject and verb. For example, Even though Malik had rehearsed contains the subject Malik and the verb phrase had rehearsed.
Despite the rain, the market stayed open.
Why can I say despite the rain but not despite it was raining?
Despite needs a noun phrase, pronoun, or an -ing form after it. The rain is a noun phrase, while it was raining is a full clause. Use Although it was raining when you want to keep the full clause.
Even though Malik had rehearsed, he spoke slowly at first.
When do I use a comma with a concession clause?
Use a comma after a concession clause when it comes before the main clause. For example, Although Ana worked late, she sent the revised proposal before midnight. A following clause usually does not need a comma before although.
Despite his rehearsal, Malik spoke slowly at first.
Can though come at the end of a sentence?
Yes. In informal conversation and writing, though can come at the end to add a later contrast. In The route was longer than expected. We arrived before noon, though, though refers back to the longer route and adds the different result.
Though the instructions were brief, the task was clear.