CLAUSES OF CONCESSION

A. CO BAN:
Exercise 1: Choose the best answer to complete these sentences.
1. _______ the weather, we went sailing.
A. despite B. in spite of C. although D. A and B
2. _______Hudson led early, he lost the race.
A. though B. although C. eventhough D. all are correct
3. In spite of not speaking French, Mike decided to settle in Paris.
A. Eventhough Mike didn’t speak French, but he decided to settle in Paris.
B. Mike decided to settle in Paris despite he didn’t speak French.
C. Mike decided to settle in Paris though the fact that not speaking French.
D. Although Mike didn’t speak French; he decided to settle in Paris.
4. Mr Ba was late for the meeting though he took a taxi.
A. Even though taking a taxi, Mr Ba was late for the meeting.
B. In spite of taking a taxi, but Mr Ba was late for the meeting.
C. Mr Ba was late for the meeting despite the fact he took a taxi.
D. Mr Ba was late for the meeting although having taken a taxi.
5. We camt to the meeting on time though the traffic was heavy.
A. Despite the traffic was heavy; we came to the meeting on time.
B. In spite of the heavy traffic, we came to the meeting on time.
C. Even though the heavy traffic, we came to the meeting on time.
D. Although the traffic was heavy, but we came to the meeting on time.
6. Although he took a taxi, Bill still arrived late for the concert.
A. Bill arrived late for the concert whether he took a taxi or not.
B. Bill arrived late for the concert because of the taxi.
C. In spite of taking a taxi, Bill arrived late for the concert.
D. Bill took a taxi to the concert, but he couldn’t catch it.
7. Although she is rich, she can’t afford to buy the car.
A. She doesn’t have enough money to buy the car she likes.
B. Rich as she is, she can’t afford to buy the car.
C. The car is too expensive for her to buy.
D. She wants to buy the car but it costs a lot.
8. Although Sue felt tired, she stayed up late talking to Jill.
A. Despite feeling tired, Sue stayed up late talking to Jill.
B. In spite feeling tired, Sue stayed up late talking to Jill.
C. Sue wouldn’t feel tired despite staying up late talking to Jill.
D. Sue stayed up late talking to Jill. As a result, she was tired.
9. Even though Trung had a bad cold, he went to the concert.
A. In spite of his bad cold, Trung went to the concert.
B. Trung had a bad cold because he went to the concert.
C. Trung went to the concert despite having a bad cold.
D. Trung had a bad cold. However, he went to the concert.
10. _____it was raining heavily he went out without a raincoat.
A. In spite B. In spite of C. However D. Although
11. _____he wasn’t feeling very well; Mr Graham went to visit his aunt as usual.
A. Although B. However C. Therefore D. Still
12. He was offered the job______his qualifications were poor.
A. despite B. in spite of C. even though D. Whereas
13. She didn’t get the job ____ she had all the necessary qualifications.
A. because B. although C. so D. but
14. I could not eat ____ I was very hungry.
A. even though B. in spite C. despite D. in spite the fact that
15. In pite _____, the baseball game was not cancelled.
A. the rain B. of the rain C. it was raining D. there was a rain
16._____ he had enough money, he refused to buy a new car.
A. In spite B. In spite of C. Despite D. Although
17. ______, he walked to the station.
A. Despite being tired B. Although to be tired C. In spite being tired D. Despite tired
18. The children slept well, despite _____.
A. it was noise B. the noise C. of the noise D. noisy
19. She left him __________ she still loved him.
A. even if B. even though C. in spite of D. despite
20. _______ her lack of hard work, she was promoted.
A. In spite B. Even though C. in spite of D. despite of
21. _______ they are brothers, they do not look like.
A. Although B. Even C. Despite D. In spite of
22. We are concerned with the problem of energy resouces ________ we must also think of our
environment. A. despite B. though C. as though D. but
23. ______ some Japanese women are successful in business, the majority of Japanese companies are run by
men. A. But B. Even if C. If D. As though
24.I would have been on time if I hadn’t stopped at the post office
A. I was on time even tough I stopped at the post office
B.I wasn’t on time because I stopped at the post office
C. I didn’t stop at the post office, but I was late.
D. all of the above
25. I have still got the camera because no one has claimed it
A. because it hasn’t been claimed B. because of not claiming on it
C. because of no claim has been made on it D. because it has been claimed by no one
26. He was offered the job______his qualifications were poor.
A. despite B. in spite of C. even though D. Whereas
27. Although he was seriously ill, he was determined to finish his work. In spite of ____________
A. the serious ill, he was determined to finish his work
B.be ill seriously, he was determined to finish his work
C.his serious ill,he wasdetermined to finish hiswork
D.he wasill seriously,he wasdetermined to finish his work
28. Although they were very poor, the children seemed happy.
A. The children seemed happy because they were very poor
B.The children were very poor,so they seemed happy
C.Despite their poverty, the children seemed happy
D.he children seemes happy whether they were poor /rich
29. Because of his bad leg, he walked slowly.
A. Because his leg was bad, he walked slowly B. Because his bad leg, he walked slowly
C. If his leg was bad, he walked slowly D. Although his leg was bad, he walked slowly
30. I got to class on time _________ I had missed my bus.
A. even though B. nevertheless C. because D.despite
Exercise 3: Choose the underlined part among A, B, C or D that needs correcting.
46. In spite her severe pain, she tried to walk to the auditorium to attend the lecture.
47. Despite of growing industrial activity, the majority of the American people continued
to make their living from farming until the beginning of the twentieth century.
48. Although our grandfather was old but he could help us.
49. He tried to explain, so she refused to listen.
50. He decided not to get that job in spite of the salary was low.
51. Although the bad traffic, I managed to arrive at the meeting on time.
52. In spite of my father is old, he still goes to work.
53. Though he loves her very much, but he can’t talk to her.
54. She always behaves childishly despite she has grown up.
55. Although the rise in unemployment, people still seem to be spending more.
56. Despite he had a good salary, he was unhappy in his job.
57. Although the time of the year, yesterday’s temperature was hot enough to turn on the
air conditioning.
58. In spite of the quantity was small, we had enough supplies to finish the experiment.
59. However she looks very young, she is twice as old as my-twenty-year old sister.
60. Despite of his smiling face, the second place contestant is sadder than the winner.

B. NANG CAO:
(EVEN) THOUGH = NEVERTHELESS ,ALL THE SAME
Examples: They were boring, (even) though well-educated.
Though they were well-educated, they were boring.
Educated though they were, they were very boring.
They were well-educated. Nevertheless they were boring.
They were well-educated. All the same they were boring.
Exercise `1
1. He didn’t tell me why he’d been late, but I knew it all the same.
 He didn’t tell me why he’d been late, but I knew it ....................................................................................................
2. It’s rather cold, but I think I’ll go for a walk.
 Even though ................................................................................................................................................................
3. She was unattractive but still had many friends.-->Even though ...........................................................
4. She was unattractive but still had many friends.
 Unattractive .................................................................................................................................................................
5. Though they’d lived in London for years, they always spoke German.
 They’d lived in London for years ...............................................................................................................................
(HOWEWER, WHATEVER)
Note: When we use however in clauses of concession, it must be followed by an adjective or an
adverb.
Examples: However hard he studies, he won’t pass the exam.
Whatever happens, I will always love you.
Exercise 2
1. Although I tried hard, I couldn’t find the book you lent me.
 However ......................................................................................................................................................................
2. Although he may have some strong points, intelligence is one of them.
 Whatever .....................................................................................................................................................................
3. Although he loves Joan very much, he isn’t going to marry her.
 However ......................................................................................................................................................................
4. Although she buys a lot of new dresses every month, she always dresses shabbily.
 However ......................................................................................................................................................................
5. Even if our new house is very nice, we’ll still miss our old flat.
 However ......................................................................................................................................................................
NO MATTER - IT DOESN’T MATTER
Examples: No matter how hard I try, I will never pass the exam
It doesn’t matter how hard I try, I will never pass the exam
Exercise 3
1. Although he makes a lot of money, he can’t save anything.
 No matter ....................................................................................................................................................................
2. No matter what she said, no one paid any attention.
 Whatever .....................................................................................................................................................................
3. However hard she tried, she couldn’t lift the suitcase.
 No ................................................................................................................................................................................
4. Although he loves Joan very much, he isn’t going to marry her.
 No ................................................................................................................................................................................
5. It doesn’t matter how much you earn, you shouldn’t waste money.
 Although .....................................................................................................................................................................
ADJECTIVE/ADVERB + AS/though
Note: This structure is used only with adjectives and adverbs in the front position.
Example: Much as I love Mary, I will not marry her.
Exercise 4
1. Although Betty is attractive, she can’t find herself a boyfriend.
 Attractive .....................................................................................................................................................................
2. Although it seems incredible, my grandma is getting married again.
 Incredible ....................................................................................................................................................................
3. Although I love travelling very much, I can’t afford to go to Japan.
 Much ...........................................................................................................................................................................
4. However rich he may be, I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes.
 Rich .............................................................................................................................................................................
5. No matter how nice she may be, I don’t like her
 Nice .............................................................................................................................................................................
CONCESSION IN SPITE OF,DESPITE
Examples : For all my money, I feel very poor.
In spite of all my money, I feel very poor.
Exercise 5
1. Whatever you may promise, I don’t believe a word.
 For all ..........................................................................................................................................................................
2. In spite of his hard work, he hasn’t been promoted for five years.
 For all ..........................................................................................................................................................................
3. Whatever you may say about Mary, I will not change my opinion about her.
 For all ..........................................................................................................................................................................
4. Say what you will about her husband, I do not like him.
 For all ..........................................................................................................................................................................
5. For all the help of their friends, they were unable to cope with all the problems.
 In spite .........................................................................................................................................................................
Exercise 7: Rewrite the sentences
1. Although I was very tired, I didn’t sleep.=> No matter
2. Although he was disappointed, he tried to smile.=> No matter
3. I couldn’t sleep though I was very tired.=> Much
4. He got good jobs, he was not satisfied.=> No matter what jobs....................................................
5. You do any job, you should do it devotedly.
=> Whatever .....................................................................................................................................
6. Although his English was good, he wasn’t chosen.
=> However.......................................................................................................................................
7. Even though I admire his courage, I think he is a foolish.
=> Much.............................................................................................................................................
8. However friendly he seems, he’s not to be trusted.
=> Friendly
9. I admit he’s clever, but I don’t think he’ll this problem.
=> Clever...........................................................................................................................................
10. He had enjoyed the lively company of his friends in Edinburgh. All the same, his work, he felt,
demanded solitude.
=> Much as........................................................................................................................................
11. Come and sit down, whoever you are.=> It doesn’t matter.........................................................
12. It doesn’t matter how hard she tries, she never beat Sue at tennis.
=> However.......................................................................................................................................
13. No matter what he says, nobody believes him.
=> Whatever......................................................................................................................................
14. He always woke up early no matter how late he had gone to bed.
=> However.......................................................................................................................................
15. Melissa’s father was very busy, but he still played with her.
=> Busy..............................................................................................................................................