Many resources on the internet treat adverb clause of concession and contrast as one and the same. And why not? They look the same and mean almost the same when introduced by while, whereas, and whilst, the three subordinating conjunctions common to both the clauses.
But they’re different.
Let’s start with a brief definition of each.
Adverb clauses of contrast show contrast with the matrix clause. (Matrix clause is what’s left after removing subordinate clause. In the sentence She is very outgoing, whereas her sister is quite shy, for example, She is very outgoing is matrix clause.) They’re introduced mainly by subordinating conjunctions while, whereas, and whilst.
Adverb clauses of concession also show contrast with the matrix clause, but they do something more. They also tell that the situation in matrix clause is unexpected or surprising based on what’s there in the adverb clause. They’re introduced mainly by although and though (in informal use). Other concessive subordinating conjunctions introducing them are if, even if, even though, when, whereas (in formal use), while, and whilst.
The difference between the two, then, is mainly about unexpectedness.
Let’s understand how this works through few examples. To make it tougher to identify which is which, we’ll take only those adverb clauses that have been introduced by common subordinating conjunctions (whereas, while, and whilst). Explanations have been provided for the first two pairs of sentences; try the third yourself. Examples:
While the new marketing strategy has received positive feedback, it is struggling to gain traction with the sales team.
[There is comparison, with an element of unexpectedness: Adverb clause says that the new marketing strategy received positive feedback, but the matrix clause says that it is struggling to gain traction with the sales team. Isn’t that unexpected? Hence, it’s adverb clause of concession.]
While the classic recipe calls for butter, the modern version uses olive oil instead.
[There is comparison, without unexpectedness. Two recipes can very well demand different oils. Hence, it’s adverb clause of contrast.]
Whereas the company’s profits have been steadily increasing, its share has been quite tepid.
[There is comparison, with an element of unexpectedness: Adverb clause says that the company’s profits have been steadily increasing, but the matrix clause says that its share hasn’t done well. Isn’t that unexpected? Hence, it’s adverb clause of concession.]
She is very outgoing, whereas her sister is quite shy.
[There is comparison, without unexpectedness. She and her sister can have different personalities. Hence, it’s adverb clause of contrast.]
Whilst the research team has presented promising data, the project’s funding has been unexpectedly cut. [Adverb clause of concession]
Whilst the new model is designed for high performance, the previous version emphasizes fuel efficiency. [Adverb clause of contrast]
We’re not done yet. There is another way to tell the difference between the two.
When an adverb clause of contrast comes after the matrix clause, the subordinating conjunction can be replaced by coordinating conjunction but without change in meaning. Let’s try this with the third pair of examples. Since the adverb clause is in front, we’ll move it to the back and replace whilst by but.
The project’s funding has been unexpectedly cut, but the research team has presented promising data. [The meaning gets weird, implying it is adverb clause of concession.]
The previous model emphasizes fuel efficiency, but the new version is designed for high performance. [The meaning remains same, implying it is adverb clause of contrast.]
Note that some resources on the internet call while, whereas, and whilst used in adverb clause of contrast as coordinating conjunction because they can be replaced by but in such use. This though is incorrect. While, whereas, and whilst are subordinating conjunctions in any use.
More resources:
