Concession Clauses

Express contrast and unexpected results with precision — going well beyond "but".

What is a concession?

A concession acknowledges one fact while asserting a contrasting or surprising result. The key challenge at B2 is choosing the right structure — since each connector requires a different grammatical form after it.

Subordinating conjunctions

+ full clause (subject + verb)

although / even though / though / while / whereas

Although the evidence was compelling, the jury remained unconvinced.

Even though she had been briefed, she struggled with the questions.

Whereas the northern regions saw growth, the south stagnated.

Prepositions

+ noun phrase OR gerund (-ing) — never + subject + verb

despite / in spite of

Despite the committee's reservations, the proposal was approved.

In spite of having received multiple warnings, he persisted.

Adverbial connectors

sentence-initial + comma, or after semicolon

however / nevertheless / nonetheless / yet

The projections were optimistic. Nevertheless, investors remained cautious.

She had reservations about the strategy; nonetheless, she gave her approval.

The conditions were brutal, yet the team maintained their composure.

Fronted adjective/adverb + as

adjective/adverb + as + subject + verb (formal/literary)

Formidable as the obstacles were, they refused to abandon the project.

Hard as the negotiators tried, a settlement proved elusive.

Much as she admired his work, she could not endorse his methods.

Critical grammar distinctions

Structure	Correct form after	Common B2 error
although / even though	subject + verb	✗ Although of his expertise … (no preposition)
despite / in spite of	noun / gerund	✗ Despite he worked hard … (clause not permitted)
however	new sentence or semicolon; always followed by comma	✗ … , however she continued. (comma splice)
while / whereas	subject + verb — contrast, not time	Confusion with temporal while
much as	subject + verb — concedes a feeling or desire	✗ Much as of his talent …
adj/adv + as	adj/adv FIRST, then as + subject + verb	✗ As difficult as it was … (redundant "as")

💡 Despite vs Although — the core test: Can you replace the concession phrase with a noun or gerund? If yes → despite. If you need a subject and verb → although.
Despite his reluctance ✓ | Despite being reluctant ✓ | Although he was reluctant ✓
✗ Despite he was reluctant | ✗ Although his reluctance

📌 Register: Nevertheless and nonetheless are formal. Yet as a concession connector is literary. Though (without "even") is more informal than although. Adj + as structures are formal or literary.

Exercise 1: Sentence Transformation

Rewrite each sentence using the connector given. You must not change the meaning. The number of words may change.

Exercise 2: Error Identification

Each sentence contains one error. First click the wrong word, then select the reason why it is wrong.

Exercise 3: Gap Fill

Choose the correct concession word or phrase. Pay attention to what follows each gap.

Exercise 4: Matching

Match each sentence beginning on the left with the correct ending on the right.

Exercise 5: Sentence Sort

Drag each sentence into the correct category: conjunction + clause, or preposition + noun/gerund.

Exercise 6: Reformulation

Read the original sentence. Three rewrites are given. Select ALL that are both grammatically correct AND preserve the original meaning exactly.

Exercise 7: Paragraph Gap Fill

Read each paragraph and choose the concession connector that best fits the logic and register of the whole text.

Your Scores

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