| Common conjunctions | |
|---|---|
| Contrast clauses | although; though; even though; while; |
| Reason clauses | because; since; as |
| Place clauses | where; wherever; everywhere |
| Purpose clauses | so that; so; because + want |
| Result clauses | so that; so … that; such … that |
| Time clauses | when; before; after; since; while; as; as soon as; by the time; until |
| Conditional clauses | if; unless; provided (that); as long as |
A concessive clause is a clause which begins with "although" or "even though" and which expresses an idea that suggests the opposite of the main part of the sentence.The sentence "Although he's quiet, he's not shy" begins with a concessive clause- "Although he's quiet " which has an opposite meaning of - "he's not shy" which is the main part of the sentence.NOTE: " In spite of" , " despite" have similar meaning to "although" or "even though". BUT they don't introduce clauses. They have different syntax. They are followed by nouns or gerunds (verb+ing.) They don't introduce a clause (subject + verb.)
Study these examples:
"He had enough money."
" He refused to buy a new car."The above two statements can be combined as follows :
Although
Even though |
he had enough money,
|
he refused to buy a new car
|
He refused to buy a new car
|
although
even though |
he had enough money.
|
Structure:
"Although", and "even though" introduce concessive clauses.
Although /even though
|
subject
|
verb
|
Examples:
Although it was raining, he walked to the station.
Even though she is very old, she runs fast.
Despite and in spite of do not introduce a concessive clause. They are rather followed by a noun or a verb+ing form.
Study this example:
"He had enough money."
"He refused to buy a new car."The above two statements can be combined as follows :
Despite
In spite of |
all his money,
|
he refused to buy a new car.
|
having enough money,
|
OR
He refused to buy a new car
|
despite
in spite of |
all his money.
|
having enough money.
|
Structure
Despite / in spite of
|
+ a noun,
|
+ verb + ing.
|
Examples:
Despite /in spite of the rain, he walked to the station.
Despite /in spite of being tired, he walked to the station.
1. Although, even though + subject + verb (Concessive clause)3. In spite of, despite + noun or verb+ing (Not a concessive clause)2. There are structural similarities between:
- "in spite of", "despite" and "although", "even though"
- "because of", "due to", "owing to", "thanks to" and "because", "since ,"as", "for". (Expressing cause and effect)
In spite of
Despite |
+ noun
|
Because of
Due to owing to Thanks to | |
Although
Even though |
+ verb
|
Because
Since For As |
