GV

Concessive Clauses

Clauses showing contrast: although, even though, despite, in spite of

intermediate

When to Use Concessive Clauses

  • •Unexpected contrast: Although it was raining, we went out.
  • •Strong contrast: Even though he's rich, he's not happy.
  • •Despite + noun/gerund: Despite the rain, we went out.
  • •In spite of + noun/gerund: In spite of being tired, she continued.
  • •Showing something happens contrary to expectation

How to Form Concessive Clauses

Affirmative (+)

Although/Even though + clause | Despite/In spite of + noun/-ing

Negative (-)

Although she didn't study, she passed.

Question (?)

Did you go out even though it was raining?

💡 Although/Even though + subject + verb. Despite/In spite of + noun or -ing (no subject + verb).

Examples of Concessive Clauses

✓Although he was tired, he kept working.

✗Although being tired, he kept working.

Although + subject + verb, not + -ing.

✓Despite being tired, he kept working.

✗Despite he was tired, he kept working.

Despite + noun/-ing, not + clause.

✓Even though it was expensive, I bought it.

✗Even it was expensive, I bought it.

'Even though' (not just 'even') introduces contrast.

Common Mistakes with Concessive Clauses

💡 Practice Tips for Concessive Clauses

  • • Although/Even though + clause (subject + verb)
  • • Despite/In spite of + noun or -ing form
  • • Despite = no 'of'; In spite of = needs 'of'
  • • Even though = stronger than although
  • • All show unexpected contrast or concession
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.  the rain, we went out for a walk.
  2. 2.  he was tired, he kept working.
  3. Question 3: Rewrite using 'despite': 'Although it was raining, we went out.' → 'blank the rain, we went out.'
    3.Rewrite using 'despite': 'Although it was raining, we went out.' → ' the rain, we went out.'
  4. Question 4: Rewrite using 'in spite of' + -ing: 'Although he was tired, he kept working.' → 'blank tired, he kept working.'
    4.Rewrite using 'in spite of' + -ing: 'Although he was tired, he kept working.' → ' tired, he kept working.'
  5. Question 5: Fix the sentence: 'Despite of the rain, we went out.' → 'blank the rain, we went out.'
    5.Fix the sentence: 'Despite of the rain, we went out.' → ' the rain, we went out.'
  6. Question 6: Fix the sentence: 'Although the bad weather, we had fun.' → 'blank the bad weather, we had fun.'
    6.Fix the sentence: 'Although the bad weather, we had fun.' → ' the bad weather, we had fun.'
  7. Question 7: Fix the sentence: 'Although being tired, he kept working.' → 'blank tired, he kept working.' (use a phrase that takes -ing)
    7.Fix the sentence: 'Although being tired, he kept working.' → ' tired, he kept working.' (use a phrase that takes -ing)
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