Adverb Clause of Contrast/ Concession

 BISMO August 4, 2016
You might know that an adverb clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb in a sentence. There are
different kinds of adverb clauses in English; in addition, the subordinators can distinguish the different types of
adverb clauses. In this lesson you will learn how to use an adverb clause of contrast or concession. 
Adverb clauses begin with a subordinating conjunction (such as after, although, as, because, even, if, once, so
that, since, until, when, wherever while whatever etc.) and answers one of these four adverb questions: how,
when, where or why.
 You may sit wherever you wish. (Modifies the verb sit and tells where)
 Ali and Ahmed look as though they have some exiting news for us. (Modifies the verb look, telling how
Ali and Ahmed look)
 He is happy because she made an A. (Modifies the adjective happy, telling why he is happy)
 Jack can climb higher than I can. (Modifies the adjective higher, telling to what extent or how much
higher Jack can climb)
 He talked carefully in order to appear fair. (Modifies the adverb carefully telling why he talked
carefully)
Adverb Clause of Contrast/ Concession
These clauses are used to make two statements, one of which contrast with the other or make it seem surprising.
They are introduced by the subordinating conjunctions like “although, though, even though, despite, in spite
of, whereas, while, even if and however. 
Though, Although and Even though
Though and although mean the same, we use them to contrast two opposite meanings (positive and negative) and
it always gives unexpected results, we can use though in any part of the sentence but although can’t be used in
the end of a sentence. When the though/although clause comes before the main clause, we usually put a comma
at the end of the clause. When the main clause comes first, we don’t need to use a comma:
 Though/ although he has plenty of money, he doesn’t spend much.
 We enjoyed our camping holiday though/ although it rained every day.
 The exam was difficult. I think I did well, though.
Even though 
Even though is a slightly stronger form of although.
 We decided to buy the house even though we didn’t really have enough money.
 You keep making that stupid noise even though I’ve asked you to stop three times.
 Even though the exam was easy, I failed.
Despite and in spite of
Despite and in spite of are prepositions which are used with phrase to show contrast and after them we use a
noun or a pronoun.
 We enjoyed our camping holiday in spite of the rain.
 Despite the pain in his leg, he completed the marathon.
 Despite having all the necessary qualifications, they didn’t offer me the job.
 Despite/ in spite of his best efforts, they just could not succeed.
Whereas and while
We use whereas or while to contrast two opposite facts. We don’t matter negative or positive meaning.
 I like traveling by plane, while/ whereas my husband doesn’t.
 While there was no conclusive evidence, most people thought he was guilty.
Even if 
Even if is used to emphasize that, although something may happen or may be true, it will not change a situation.
I would not tell you even if I knew.
Even if she survives, she’ll never fully recover.
However
However is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said
previously.
 However you look at it, you can’t criticize that.
 He was feeling bad. He went to work, however, and tried to concentrate.
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 Concessive clause - Although, even though...

Concessive clause
A concessive clause is a clause which begins with "although" or "even though" and which expresses
an idea that suggests the opposite of the main part of the sentence.

The sentence "Although he's quiet, he's not shy" begins with a concessive clause- "Although he's
quiet " which has an opposite meaning of - "he's not shy" which is the main part of the sentence.

NOTE: " In spite of" , " despite" have similar meaning to "although" or "even though". BUT they don't
introduce clauses. They have different syntax. They are followed by nouns or gerunds (verb+ing.)
They don't introduce a clause (subject + verb.)

Although, even though:

Study these examples:

"He had enough money."

" He refused to buy a new car."

The above two statements can be combined as follows :

Although  he had enough money, he refused to buy a new car

Even though

OR

He refused to buy a new car although  he had enough money.

even though

Structure:

"Although", and "even though" introduce concessive clauses.

Although /even though subject verb

Examples:

Although it was raining, he walked to the station.

Even though she is very old, she runs fast.        

Despite / in spite of:

Despite and in spite of do not introduce a concessive clause. They are rather followed by a noun or
a verb+ing form.

Study this example:

"He had enough money."
"He refused to buy a new car."

The above two statements can be combined as follows :

Despite all his money, he refused to buy a new car.

In spite of  having enough money,

OR

He refused to buy a new car despite all his money.

in spite of having enough money.

Structure

Despite / in spite of + a noun,

+ verb + ing.

Examples:

Despite /in spite of the rain, he walked to the station.

Despite /in spite of being tired, he walked to the station.

Remember:
1. Although, even though + subject + verb (Concessive clause)

3. In spite of, despite + noun or verb+ing (Not a concessive clause)

2. There are structural similarities between:

 "in spite of", "despite" and "although", "even though"

 "because of", "due to", "owing to", "thanks to" and "because", "since ,"as",
"for". (Expressing cause and effect)

In spite of  + noun

Despite
Because of
Due to
owing to
Thanks to
Although + verb
Even though
Because
Since
For
As

More on cause and effect to see the use of "because, since, as, for, because of, due to ... "

Exercises on although, in spite of...