Concessive clauses.

Conocidas como subordinadas adversativas en español. Atencíón a los nexos que las introducen:
1. Although solamente puede ir seguido de S + V.
Although he was tired, he refused to stop working.
Though es una variación extremadamente común a final de frase, como una apostilla:
We had a great time in the park. The weather wasn’t too good, though.
Muy a menudo lo vemos reforzado con Even, a principio de frase:
Even though I tried hard, I couldn’t solve the problem.

2. ‘In spite of’ y ‘Despite’ (“a pesar de”) han de ir seguidos de sustantivo, pronombre o infinitivo
en ‘-ing’.
In spite of the wind and the rain, they went out for a walk.
Despite trying hard, they couldn’t solve the problem.

La única forma de que ‘in spite of’ y ‘despite’ vayan seguidos de una oración, es por
medio de un sustantivo que permite encadenar una oración: ‘the fact that’, “el hecho de
que”.

Despite the fact that hundreds of civilians suffered the consequences, they declared war
on that small country.

Complete the sentences with ‘although’, ‘though’ or ‘in spite of’.

1. He decided to go home.....................................he didn’t want to.
2. ......................................not having slept for two days, he looked perfectly fine.
3. ......................................it was raining, we went out for a walk.
4. Everybody thought the show was fantastic. There were a few who weren’t too enthusiastic
about it, ......................... .
5. They went to the beach................................the bad weather.
6. Even...............................she didn’t like him, she had to accept his invitation.

Rewrite the sentences below using first ‘although’ and then ‘in spite of’ or ‘despite’.
Example: He worked hard but he didn’t pass the exam.
a) Although he worked hard, he didn’t pass the exam.
b) In spite of working hard, he didn’t pass the exam.

1. It was raining but she didn’t take an umbrella.

2. He enjoyed the meal but it was very expensive.

3. His curriculum was very good but he didn’t get the job.

4. Spain lost the match but they played better than Italy.

5. She lives on the fifth floor but she never takes the lift.
ANSWERS:

Complete the sentences with ‘although’, ‘though’ or ‘in spite of’.

7. He decided to go home although he didn’t want to.
8. In spite of not having slept for two days, he looked perfectly fine.
9. Although it was raining, we went out for a walk.
10. Everybody thought the show was fantastic. There were a few who weren’t too enthusiastic
about it, though.
11. They went to the beach in spite of the bad weather.
12. Even though she didn’t like him, she had to accept his invitation.

Rewrite the sentences below using first ‘although’ and then ‘in spite of’ or ‘despite’.
Example: He worked hard but he didn’t pass the exam.
a) Although he worked hard, he didn’t pass the exam.
b) In spite of working hard, he didn’t pass the exam.

5. It was raining but she didn’t take an umbrella.

Although it was raining, she didn't take an umbrella.

In spite of the rain, she didn't take an umbrella.
In spite of the fact that it was raining, she didn't take an umbrella.

6. He enjoyed the meal but it was very expensive.

He enjoyed the meal although it was very expensive.

He enjoyed the meal despite it being very expensive.
He enjoyed the meal despite the fact that it was very expensive.
He enjoyed the meal despite its high price.

7. His curriculum was very good but he didn’t get the job.

Although his curriculum was very good he didn't get the job.
In spite of his good curriculum, he didn't get the job.
In spite of his curriculum being very good he didn't get the job.
In spite of the fact that his curriculum was very good, he didn't get the job.

8. Spain lost the match but they played better than Italy.

Although Spain lost the match, they played better than Italy.
Although Spain played better than Italy, they lost the match.
In spite of Spain playing bettter than Italy, they lost the match.
In spite of the fact that Spain played better than Italy, they lost the match.
In spite of Spain's superior playing, they lost the match to Italy.

6. She lives on the fifth floor but she never takes the lift.

Although she lives on the fifth floor, she never takes the lift.
In spite of living on the fifth floor, she never takes the lift.
In spite of the fact that she lives on the fifth floor, she never takes the lift.