Handout 6: CONCESSION - KEY

Links (= conjunctions):        but

(and) yet

 although (infml. though)

 even though

 much as

 as / though after adjectives (formal)

 

Adverbs:                                but

                                               yet

                                               though

                                               all the same

                                               even so

                                               however

                                               nevertheless (formal)

 

• although and though are approximate equivalents, but though is more informal

Although / Though a strike of all teachers was called for today, university teachers didn’t join it.

 

• informal link though must be distinguished from though as adverb, which:

1. cannot link clauses
2. cannot begin a clause or sentence
3. is always used with commas:

She is hardly a brilliant teacher. Most students like her, though.

( X Though she is hardly a brilliant teacher, most students like her. = though as a link)

What you say may be true. I think, though, it’s more the exception than the rule.

What you say may be true. I think it’s more the exception than the rule, though.

 

• even though is a more emphatic equivalent of although

Even though (Although) there weren’t any trains yesterday, most people got to work in time.

 

• in the same way, yet is a more emphatic equivalent of but; like but it can be used as a connector adverb at the beginning of a sentence

There weren’t any trains yesterday. Yet (But) most people got to work in time.

There weren’t any trains yesterday(,) (and) yet / but most people got to work in time.  

 

• much as can be used only with verbs expressing one’s inclinations, such as like, dislike, admire, approve, disapprove, sympathise, enjoy  

Much as we’d like to see her, we don’t think we should contact her under these circumstances.

Much as he would have liked to visit Oxford, his tight schedule made that impossible.

Much as I admire him, I’d never want to be his wife.

 

• as or though can be used after an introductory adjective or past participle in a special form of inversion

adjective / past participle + as / though + S + V

Justified as / Justified though the train drivers’ claims may be, they should not have done this.

(= Although the train drivers’ claims may be justified, they should not have done this.)

Old as / Old though my grandmother is, she still manages to enjoy her life.

Fond as / Fond though he is of Lucy, he’s not going to rush into marriage.

 

• all the same, even so, however and nevertheless are more emphatic compared to other concessive adverbs (but, yet, though)

a) all the same, even so and nevertheless are normally used at the beginning of a new sentence introducing a contrasting / concessive idea

We’d very much like to see her. All the same / Even so / Nevertheless(,) we don’t think we should contact her under these circumstances.

Mary has spent only three months in England. All the same / Even so / Nevertheless(,) she has acquired  a pretty sound knowledge of the language.

I like Willie very much. All the same / Even so / Nevertheless(,) I can’t honestly say I’d go out with him.

      b) however has got the same meaning as all the same, even so and nevertheless but

• is always used with commas
• can be used in different positions in a sentence (initial, medial – after subject, final)
• is less formal than nevertheless but more formal than but

I’m really bad at remembering names sometimes. However, I hardly ever forget a face.

I’m really bad at remembering names sometimes. I hardly ever forget a face, however.

I never used to come first in anything at school. My sister, however, seemed to be constantly winning prizes and competitions.