Concessive clause - Although, even though...

Concessive clause
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.)
1. Although, even though:
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
OR
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.
2. Despite / in spite of:
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.
Remember:
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
More on cause and effect to see the use of "because, since, as, for, because of, due to ... "
















So / Such
1. So + Adjective
USE
"So" can be combined with adjectives to show extremes. This form is often used in
exclamations.
Examples:
The music is so loud! I wish they would turn it down.
The meal was so good! It was worth the money.
+ "That"
The above form can be combined with "that" to show extremes which lead to certain results.
The "that" is usually optional.
Examples:
The music is so loud that I can't sleep.
The music is so loud I can't sleep.
The meal was so good that we decided to have dinner at the same restaurant again tonight.
The meal was so good we decided to have dinner at the same restaurant again tonight.
2. So + Adverb
USE
"So" can be combined with adverbs to show extreme actions. This form is often used in
exclamations.
Examples:
She spoke so quickly! She sounded like an auctioneer.
He paints so well! I am sure he is going to become a famous artist.
+ "That"
The above form can be combined with "that" to show extreme actions which lead to certain
results. The "that" is usually optional.
Examples:
She spoke so quickly that I couldn't understand her.
She spoke so quickly I couldn't understand her.
He paints so well that they offered him a scholarship at an art school in Paris.
He paints so well they offered him a scholarship at an art school in Paris.
3. So + Many / Few + Plural Noun
USE
"So" can be combined with "many" or "few" plus a plural noun to show extremes in
amount. This form is often used in exclamations.
Examples:
I never knew you had so many brothers!
She has so few friends! It's really quite sad.
+ "That"
The above form can be combined with "that" to show extremes in amount which lead to
certain results. The "that" is usually optional.
Examples:
I never knew you had so many brothers that you had to share a bedroom.
I never knew you had so many brothers you had to share a bedroom.
She has so few friends that she rarely gets out of the house.
She has so few friends she rarely gets out of the house.
4. So + Much / Little + Non-countable Noun
USE
"So" can be combined with "much" or "little" plus a non-countable noun to show extremes
in amount. This form is often used in exclamations.
Examples:
Jake earns so much money! And he still has trouble paying the rent.
They have so little food! We need to do something to help them.
+ "That"
The above form can be combined with "that" to show extremes in amount which lead to
certain results. The "that" is usually optional.
Examples:
Jake earns so much money that he has lost all sense of what a dollar is worth.
Jake earns so much money he has lost all sense of what a dollar is worth.
They have so little food that they are starving to death.
They have so little food they are starving to death.
5. So + Much / Little / Often / Rarely
USE
"So" can be combined with words like "much," "little," "often," or "rarely" to describe
how much or how often someone does an action. This form is often used in exclamations.
Examples:
Earl drinks so much! It's not good for his health.
My sister visits us so rarely! I really miss her.
+ "That"
The above form can be combined with "that" to show the results of extreme actions. The
"that" is usually optional.
Examples:
Earl drinks so much that it is starting to interfere with his work.
Earl drinks so much it is starting to interfere with his work.
My sister visits us so rarely that my kids wouldn't even recognize her.
My sister visits us so rarely my kids wouldn't even recognize her.



1. Such + Adjective + Noun
USE
"Such" can be combined with an adjective and a noun to show extremes. This form is often
used in exclamations.
Examples:
Don has such a big house! I think it's a little ridiculous.
Shelly has such beautiful eyes! I have never seen that shade of blue before.
+ "That"
The above form can be combined with "that" to show extremes which lead to certain results.
The "that" is usually optional.
Examples:
Don has such a big house that I actually got lost on the way to the bathroom.
Don has such a big house I actually got lost on the way to the bathroom.
Shelly has such beautiful eyes that she got a job as a make-up model.
Shelly has such beautiful eyes she got a job as a make-up model.
!!!! Note !!!!
Remember that without the noun you need to use "so."
Examples:
such beautiful eyes that
so beautiful that
2. Such + Judgemental Noun
USE
"Such" can also be combined with judgemental nouns for emphasis. This form is often
used in exclamations.
Examples:
He is such an idiot! He says the stupidest things.
She is such a genius! We could never do this work without her.
+ "That"
The above form can be combined with "that" to show certain results. The "that" is usually
optional.
Examples:
He is such an idiot that nobody would hire him.
He is such an idiot nobody would hire him.
She is such a genius that they immediately gave her a position at the university.
She is such a genius they immediately gave her a position at the university.
3. Such + Noun (This type of...)
USE
"Such" can also mean "this type of..." or "that type of..."
Examples:
The archeologist had never seen such writing before he discovered the tablet.
this/that type of writing
She usually doesn't receive such criticism.
this/that kind of criticism
Frank has never made such mistakes before.
these/those kinds of mistakes