CLAUSES OF CONCESSION

A.   Definition of Clauses of Concession

Clauses of concession are also called contrast clauses. They usually denote some obstacle which does not prevent the realization of the action expressed in the main clause.

For example:

·         Although it was very cold and rainy, we enjoyed our trip to New York.

           Contrast clause expressing an obstacle               Main clause

In the above example, the idea expressed in the first clause contrasts with the idea expressed in the second clause.

B.     Subordinators in Clauses of Concession

The first word that introduces the clauses of concession is called a subordinator. Subordinators are linking words that join clauses to make sentences. They have a big effect on words in sentences. A clause without a subordinator forms a complete statement and can stand alone, while a clause introduced by a subordinator cannot stand alone and therefore forms a statement that is incomplete. Some concessive subordinators which can be used in clauses of concession:

Although	While	In spite of
Even though	Whereas	Despite
Though	No matter
However	Even if

For example:

·         She smokes 40 cigarettes a day.

-          This sentence forms a complete thought because it is not introduced by a subordinator.

·         Although she smokes 40 cigarettes a day.

-          The reader or listener wants to know what happens next because the thought is incomplete.

This subordinate clause is therefore dependent on the following main clause to complete its meaning. For example:

·         Although she smokes 40 cigarettes a day, she is quite fit.

       Ssubordinate contrast clause                 Main clause

1.         Although, Though and Even Thoug
Although, though and even though are subordinators used in clauses of concession. They all introduce an idea which contrasts with the main clause.
Structure:  
Although/ Though/ Even though + clause, main clause. 
Main clause + although/ though/ even though + clause.

For examples:

·         Although Marry was half asleep, she remembered to set the house alarm.

·         They were good dancers though they couldn't sing.

·         Even though he had enough money, he refused to buy a new car. 
Explanation:

·         Although is often used instead of though and even though.

·          Though is used in very informal sound.

·         Even though is used in very emphatic and formal sound.

·         The three subordinators always come before the subject and verb in a clause. But they can come before or after the main clause.

2.      While and Whereas 
While or whereas are subordinating conjunctions to say that something in the subordinate clause contrasts with something in the main clause. The two subordinators are interchangeable and show major contrast. Structure:  
While/ whereas+ clause, main clause. 
Main clause, + while/ whereas + clause. 
For examples:

·         I am quiet and shy (main clause), while my sister is lively and talkative.

·         I am quiet and shy (main clause), whereas my sister is lively and talkative. 
The above two sentences express a contrast between two ideas. As you can see, while is not only used to express time; it can also express contrast. They while/whereas clause can come before or after the main clause. One more example:

·         While/whereas my father is strong and tall, I am short and weak.

While/whereas don't denote some obstacle which does not prevent the realization of the action in the main clause, but are used to show how one person, thing, or place is different from another.

3.      Though and However

Though is not only a conjunction; if placed at the end of a sentence, it functions as an adverb. In spoken English, we can use though at the end of a sentence to show contrast.        
Structure: 
Main clause. + clause + though. 
Main clause. + However + clause. 

For examples:

·     The cottage isn't very nice. I like the garden though. (= but I like the garden)

·     I see my neighbors every day. I've never spoken to them though. (= but I've never spoken to them)

In more formal English, the adverb however can be used instead. 
For examples:

·         The cottage isn't very nice. However, I like the garden.

·         I see my neighbors every day. However, I've never spoken to them.

4.      No Matter

No matter is a subordinator used in clauses of concession. It is used to say that something in the subordinate clause contrasts with something in the main clause. 
Structure :  
No matter + who/ what/ when/ where/ why/ how (adj, adv) + S + V, main clause. 
Main clause + no matter + who/ what/ when/ where/ why/ how (adj, adv) + S + V. 
For examples :

·         They don’t last long no matter how careful you are.

·         No matter who you are, I still love you.

5.      Even if

Even if is also a subordinator used in clauses of concession. Even if is used in a supposition or hypothesis in a contrast sentence. 
Structure: 
Even if + clause, main clause.
Main clause, even if + clause.

For examples:

·         Even if Caroline earned a big salary, she would not buy a fast car.

·         She won't be able to afford that house, even if she saves a lot.
Explanation:

·         Actually, even if is almost similar with even though. Even if is used in a supposition or hypothesis, whereas even though is used to express a fact, something that is real or true.
      For examples:

-       Even if I had time and money, I wouldn't go on a cruise.
(It's not because I have no time or no money that I won't go on a cruise. I have other reasons for not going.)

-       Even though John is rich, he lives in a small house.
(John is rich, but in spite of that, he lives in a small house.)

6.      In spite of and Despite

The prepositions in spite of and despite are used to talk about contrast. They do not introduce a concessive clause, but they introduce a concessive phrase. They are rather followed by a noun, a pronoun or a verb + ing form. 
Structure:
In spite of/ Despite + N/ N phrase/ Gerund Phrase, main clause.
Main clause + in spite of/ despite + N/ N phrase/ Gerund Phrase.

For examples:

·         In spite of the rain (noun), we started to play basketball.

·         Despite having (gerund) a migraine headache, I decided to go out on a date.

·         They went swimming in spite of all the danger signs (noun phrase).

·         He still leads an active life despite his old age (noun phrase). 
Explanation:

·         In spite of and despite are interchangeable. However, despite is slightly more formal than in spite of.

C.    Abridgement in Clauses of Concession 
Abridgment in clauses of concession by omitting subject + be.

a.       Remaining a noun

E.g.: Although (he is) only a farmer, he is as rich as a doctor.

b.      Remaining a prepositional phrase

E.g.: Although (he was) in hurry, he stopped to help the blind man cross the street.

c.       Remaining a present participle

E.g.: Although (he has been) studying English long time, he still doesn’t understand.

d.      Remaining a past participle

E.g.: Although (she was) given money by her father, she also asked money to her mother.

ADDITION:

1.      Some participles + that can be used as subordinating conjunction.

a.       Admitted that

E.g.: Admitted that what you say is true, there is still to be said for the other side.

b.      Granted (that)/ granting (that)

E.g.: Granted (that) Jonathan has always provided for his children, still he has never given them any real affection.

c.       Conceded that

E.g.: Conceded that his testimony is unimpeachable, still it might be merely circumstantial evidence.

2.      Suffix –ever also has function as a subordinating conjunction.

E.g.: -   Wherever I live, my friends always visit me.

-       Whenever I spoke, they always listened patiently.

-       However John is rich, he always works hard.

-       Whatever he has done, he is still your friend.

3.      Some adverbs, such as nevertheless, anyhow, and still usually follow the subordinate conjunction in clause of concession. For examples:
-    Although it may seem incredible, it is nevertheless true.

-          Though he had studied very hard for the examination, he failed anyhow.

-          Despite what I said last night, I still love you.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 
Murphy, Raymond. (1985). English Grammar in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

         Prastowo, Panca. (2008). The Handbook of TOEFL. Yogyakarta: DIVA Press

         Solahudin, M. (2008). The Seven Complicated Grammar. Yogyakarta: DIVA Press