Lesson focus
Advanced structures for contrast and concession: much as, though/as fronting, albeit, notwithstanding, whereas, however and no matter
Advanced aim: Express concession and contrast with accurate complementation, punctuation and register across complex clause links.
Although + clause
Although introduces a finite concessive clause.
- Example: Although the evidence is limited, the pattern is difficult to ignore.
- In another context: Although the documentary record is limited, the pattern is difficult to ignore.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Despite + noun/-ing
Despite is a preposition and is followed by a noun phrase or -ing form, not a finite clause without the fact that.
- Example: Despite having little time, the team completed the review.
- In another context: Despite having little time, the legal department completed the internal evaluation.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Whereas
Whereas directly contrasts two facts, often in formal writing.
- Example: The first model prioritises speed, whereas the second focuses on accuracy.
- In another context: Regional example: The first model prioritises speed, whereas the second focuses on accuracy.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Much as
Much as + clause is a formal concessive meaning although, often expressing reluctant acknowledgement.
- Example: Much as I understand the concern, I don't think the proposal is workable.
- In another context: Much as I understand the concern, I don't think the funding request is workable.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Adjective + though
Front an adjective + though/as for concise formal concession.
- Example: Expensive though the upgrade was, it reduced maintenance costs significantly.
- In another context: Follow-up case: Expensive though the upgrade was, it reduced maintenance costs significantly.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Albeit
Albeit is a formal concessive linker followed by an adjective, adverb, prepositional phrase or reduced clause rather than a full finite clause in most modern uses.
- Example: The solution is effective, albeit relatively expensive.
- In another context: Alternative case study: The solution is effective, albeit relatively expensive.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Notwithstanding
Notwithstanding can function as a preposition or formal concessive adverb meaning despite.
- Example: Notwithstanding the initial criticism, the policy was retained.
- In another context: Notwithstanding the initial criticism, the disclosure procedure was retained.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
However + adjective
However + adjective/adverb + subject + verb means no matter how.
- Example: However carefully we plan, some uncertainty will remain.
- In another context: Separate scenario: However carefully we plan, some uncertainty will remain.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
No matter how
No matter how + adjective/adverb introduces an unrestricted concessive condition.
- Example: No matter how persuasive the argument sounds, the evidence still needs checking.
- In another context: No matter how persuasive the argument sounds, the documentary record still needs checking.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Nevertheless
Nevertheless is a sentence adverb linking two contrasting propositions, not a subordinating conjunction.
- Example: The risks are substantial. Nevertheless, the board has decided to proceed.
- In another context: The risks are substantial. Nevertheless, the steering panel has decided to proceed.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
C1 takeaway
Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.
Advanced structures for contrast and concession: much as, though/as fronting, albeit, notwithstanding, whereas, however and no matter
Alternative case study: _____, the pattern is difficult to ignore.
_____, the implementation group completed the quality review.
Separate scenario: The first model prioritises speed, _____ the second focuses on accuracy.
_____ I understand the concern, I don't think the expansion plan is workable.
Alternative case study: _____ the upgrade was, it reduced maintenance costs significantly.
Regional example: The solution is effective, _____ relatively expensive.
_____ the initial criticism, the safeguarding framework was retained.
Follow-up case: _____ we plan, some uncertainty will remain.
_____ the argument sounds, the supporting material still needs checking.
The risks are substantial. _____, the council has decided to proceed.
Advanced structures for contrast and concession: much as, though/as fronting, albeit, notwithstanding, whereas, however and no matter
Regional example: _____, the pattern is difficult to ignore.
_____, the project unit completed the independent assessment.
Follow-up case: The first model prioritises speed, _____ the second focuses on accuracy.
_____ I understand the concern, I don't think the policy package is workable.
Regional example: _____ the upgrade was, it reduced maintenance costs significantly.
Separate scenario: The solution is effective, _____ relatively expensive.
_____ the initial criticism, the procurement rule was retained.
Alternative case study: _____ we plan, some uncertainty will remain.
_____ the argument sounds, the audit evidence still needs checking.
The risks are substantial. _____, the executive committee has decided to proceed.
Advanced structures for contrast and concession: much as, though/as fronting, albeit, notwithstanding, whereas, however and no matter
Separate scenario: Although the evidence is limited, the pattern is difficult to ignore.
Despite having little time, the advisory group completed the compliance audit.
Alternative case study: The first model prioritises speed, whereas the second focuses on accuracy.
Much as I understand the concern, I don't think the revised framework is workable.
Separate scenario: Expensive though the upgrade was, it reduced maintenance costs significantly.
Follow-up case: The solution is effective, albeit relatively expensive.
Notwithstanding the initial criticism, the staffing policy was retained.
Regional example: However carefully we plan, some uncertainty will remain.
No matter how persuasive the argument sounds, the available evidence still needs checking.
The risks are substantial. Nevertheless, the trustees has decided to proceed.