Adverb clauses bring variety of information to sentences – time, place, manner, condition, concession, purpose, and more. Information on concession, provided by adverb clause of concession, is the topic of this post.
Learn more: This post covers just one adverb clause. Learn other types of adverb clause.
1. What is adverb clause of concession?
Adverb clauses of concession tell that the situation in matrix clause is unexpected or surprising based on what’s there in the adverb clause. (Matrix clause is what’s left after removing subordinate clause. In the sentence Although she was tired, she continued working on her project, for example, she continued working on her project is matrix clause.)
There is an element of contrast as well between the two clauses, but unexpectedness fundamentally defines concessive clauses. On the other hand, adverb clause of contrast focuses only on contrast. That’s why adverb clause of concession and contrast are not the same, though many resources on the internet use them interchangeably.
They usually come before the matrix clause, and when they come after, a comma usually separates the two clauses. They’re introduced mainly by although and though (in informal use). Other concessive subordinating conjunctions (or subordinators) introducing them are if, even if, even though, when, whereas (in formal use), while, and whilst. Learn the difference between though, although, and even though. Examples:
Although she was tired, she continued working on her project.
[Adverb clause says she was tired, but the matrix clause says she continued working. Isn’t that surprising or unexpected? Hence, it’s an adverb clause of concession.]
She managed to complete it on time, though the task was difficult.
[Adverb clause says the task was difficult, but the matrix clause says she managed to finish it on time. Unexpectedness again!]
Even though the task was challenging, we finished it.
[Compare this with the next. The degree of unexpectedness – or concession – is lower here.]
Even though the task was challenging, we finished it in ten minutes.
Even if they offer him more money, he won’t take the job.
If the candidate lacks experience, their enthusiasm can be a significant asset.
[The sentence may look odd, but notice concessive meaning conveyed by the if-clause: Adverb clause says candidate lacks experience, but the matrix clause says they’re still acceptable on account of their enthusiasm. If-clause is more common in verbless form, though (see non-finite and verbless clause section).]
When it’s hot outside, he goes for his daily run.
Whereas the new policy has been widely praised, it faces significant resistance from long-time employees.
Whereas the project was completed ahead of schedule, it failed to meet all the client’s expectations.
[Incorrect. The adverb clause has little to no concessive meaning because of lack of unexpectedness in the matrix clause. A project completed ahead of schedule can easily be poorly executed.]
While it was snowing, they played outside.
While he is talented, he needs more experience.
[This can be interpreted either way. If you believe that talent plays a big role in the outcome, you’ll think why you need experience, leading to some unexpectedness. In that case, the clause would be concessive. But if you believe that experience is equally important, then there isn’t any unexpectedness. In that case, the clause won’t be concessive.]
Whilst they were willing to help, they didn’t.
Whilst they were willing to help, they couldn’t due to time constraint.
[Incorrect. Whereas the adverb clause in last sentence is clearly concessive, unexpectedness has been seriously diluted here because of time constraint.]
They can also be introduced, though uncommonly, by as and that. In such use, order of words in the adverb clause deviates from the normal. Examples:
Confident as she was, she made sure to double-check her work for any errors. [Even though she was confident…]
Excited that the children were, they kept quiet during the surprise announcement. [Even though the children were excited…]
Note that the following express concessive meaning but are not adverb clause of concession, though some resources on the internet label them as one. That’s because despite and in spite of are prepositions and hence introduce prepositional phrases – not adverb clauses. You can call them prepositional phrase of concession though.
Despite the heavy rain, the outdoor event continued as planned.
In spite of the technical difficulties, the presentation was delivered without any major issues.
2. Mixed signals: An adverb clause may convey multiple meanings simultaneously
Adverb clauses are known for conveying more than one meaning at the same time. Specifically, they can convey following meanings, one of which is concession.
2.1. Concession + Time
When introduced by subordinating conjunctions when, whereas, while, and whilst, adverb clauses of concession usually convey meaning of time and meaning of concession, simultaneously. Let’s take few examples that we’ve already seen.
When it’s hot outside, he goes for his daily run.
[There is an element of unexpectedness in going for a run when it’s hot, leading to concessive meaning. And when clearly has an element of time.]
Whereas the new policy has been widely praised, it faces significant resistance from long-time employees.
While it was snowing, they played outside.
Though the above clauses may be called adverb clause of time or adverb clause of concession, grammatically it’s both clauses rolled into one.
2.2. Concession + Condition
Through correlative subordinator whether…or and subordinators such as whatever and whoever, an adverb clause can convey meaning of condition and meaning of concession at the same time. (Note that these subordinators do not figure in the list of concessive subordinators mentioned in the beginning.) Examples:
Whether it’s raining or sunny, we will go for a hike.
[Conditional meaning: Even if it’s raining or even if it’s sunny…. Concessive meaning: Two contrasting alternatives leading to the same result. That’s unexpected.]
Whichever solution you choose, it’s not going to work.
[Meanings can be derived like in the last example. The difference here is that, unlike in the last example, the adverb clause provides several alternatives.]
These clauses are also called conditional-concessive clause.
3. The clause can be non-finite or verbless as well
We typically associate adverb clauses with what we’ve seen so far, the ones with subject and finite verb. (Grammatically speaking, these are finite adverb clauses.) But adverb clauses can be non-finite or even verbless.
(Finite vs. non-finite vs. verbless clause: If you don’t know what finite, non-finite, and verbless clauses are, here is a simplified difference between the three. A finite clause contains a finite verb. It’s another term for noun clause, relative clause, and adverb clause. A non-finite clause contains a non-finite verb. It’s another term for infinitive phrase, participial phrase, and gerund phrase. A verbless clause resembles a clause but lacks a verb phrase.)
Concessive subordinators, except when and whereas, can introduce non-finite clause (present and past participial phrase) and verbless clause. Examples:
Non-finite clause
Though having minimal prior experience, he managed to lead the team to success through sheer determination.
Even though frustrated by the lack of progress, she did not give up on her research project.
When deeply engrossed in her work, she often loses track of time and forgets to eat. [Incorrect. No concessive meaning]
Verbless clause
Although unwell, she attended the important conference to present her findings.
Though wealthy beyond imagination, he chose to live a minimalist lifestyle in a modest cottage.
The hotel room was comfortable, if a bit smaller than our expectation. [You’ve seen their finite form earlier.]
The car is reliable, if a bit more expensive to maintain. [Incorrect. It’s not concessive because of lack of unexpectedness.]
Even if incorrect, his theory provoked a fascinating discussion among the scientists.
Even though anxious about the upcoming exam, he maintained a calm demeanor and studied diligently.
