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1. What is a concessive clause?
A concessive clause (Clauses of reason) is a component of a complex sentence used to express contrast with the main clause in the sentence.
If concessive adverbs are already used in the sentence, 'but' should not be used.
E.g: Although she worked very hard, she couldn’t get a promotion. => She worked very hard but she couldn’t get a promotion.
2. Concessive clauses with Although, Even though, Though
The conjunctions Although, Even though, or Though are used in concessive clauses with the structure:
Although/ Even though/ Though + S1 + V1, S2 + V2.
Or:
S2 + V2 + although/ even though/ though + S1 + V1.
The main clause and concessive clause can be swapped in a sentence.
E.g:
- Although it was raining, he walked to school. = He walked to school although it was raining.
- He came to class on time even though the traffic was terrible. = Even though the traffic was terrible, he came to class on time.
- Though it’s hot, I have to go to the library as usual. = I have to go to the library as usual though it’s hot.
3. Other structures of concessive clauses
In addition to Although, Even though, or Though, concessive clauses have other structures as follows.
Concessive clauses with Wh-ever
Cấu trúc: Wh-over + S1 + (may) + V1, S2+ V2.
E.g. Whoever he might be, we do not believe what he says.
Concessive clauses with No matter
Cấu trúc: No matter + Wh-word + S1 + V1, S2 + V2.
E.g. No matter what she says, nobody believes her.
Concessive clauses with It doesn’t matter
Cấu trúc: It doesn’t matter + Wh-word + S1 + V1, S2 + V2.
E.g: No matter what he says, he’s always your dad.
Concessive clauses with However
Cấu trúc: However + adj/ adv + S1 + (may) + V1, S2 + V2.
E.g: However unhappy Ann was, she attended the party with her friends.
Concessive clauses with Though/ As
Cấu trúc 1: Adjective/ Adverb + though/ as + S1 + (may) + V1, S2 + V2.
E.g. Despite studying hard, she couldn’t pass the exam.
Cấu trúc 2: Verb + O/ A + as/ though + S1 + may, S2 + V2
E.g. No matter how hard Tom works, he can’t support his family.
4. Phrases indicating concession
Besides concessive clauses, we can also shorten them into phrases using prepositions: Despite, in spite of, regardless of.
Cấu trúc: Despite/ In spite of/ Regardless of + Noun/ V-ing (+ N/ Adv), S + V.
E.g:
- Despite the very difficult exercise, he was able to do it well.
- He refused to buy a new house despite having enough money.
- In spite of studying hard, she couldn’t get good marks in this exam.
- He walked to the office despite being tired.
We can also use “in spite of the fact (that)” or “despite the fact (that)”.
E.g: He passed the exam despite not studying hard.
5. Exercises on concessive clauses
Exercise 1. Complete the sentences below using Although, Despite, In spite of.
1. Despite the story of the movie being good, I didn’t like the actor.
2. I went to see the film despite feeling exhausted.
3. Although I really liked Harry Potter, most of my friends said it wasn’t a very good film.
4. Despite careful preparation, they had lots of difficulties in making the exercise.
5. Although the film was gripping, Jenny slept from beginning to end.
6. In spite of the fact that she has a good look, nobody likes her.
7. Jane hardly sees Tom although they go to the same company.
8. Despite her illness, I went to school yesterday.
9. Despite it was cold outside, we went for a picnic.
10. Despite working hard, he failed the examination.
11. Despite the difficulties, she tried to solve the problem.
12. My grandmother was very strong despite her old age.
13. The children slept deeply despite the noisy talk.
14. Despite the good salary, Maria refused the job offer.
15. Despite earning a good salary, Emma never wastes her money.
16. I feel the song is boring although many people like it.
17. Despite the bad weather, we went for a walk.
18. Despite the traffic jam, they weren’t late for the meeting.
19. Despite being rich, she is always sad.
20. I couldn’t sleep although I was tired.
Đáp án:
- Although
- Despite/ in spite of
- Although
- Despite/ In spite of
- Although
- Although
- Although
- Despite/ In spite of
- Although
- Despite/ In spite of
- Despite/ In spite of
- Despite/ in spite of
- Despite/ in spite of
- Despite/ in spite of
- Despite/ in spite of
- Although
- Despite/ In spite of
- Despite/ In spite of
- Although
- Although
Exercise 2. Chọn đáp án đúng cho các câu hỏi sau
1. I adore autumn despite the cool.
A. in spite of B. although C. however
2. He went to bed early although he didn’t finish her homework.
A. despite B. although C. however
3. Despite the fact that he is 25 years old, he is so childish.
A. In spite B. Despite C. However
4. I usually go to school by bus. However, I don’t like it.
A. Despite B. Although C. However
5. Despite John owning two cars, he rarely drives to work.
A. Despite B. Although C. However
6. The athlete completed the race despite his pain.
A. despite B. although C. nevertheless
7. Emma looks pretty. She, although, seems to lack personality.
A. despite B. although C. nevertheless
8. Although we have a slim chance to win, we won’t lose hope.
A. Despite B. Although C. However
9. Despite his bad luck, she won the medal.
A. In spite B. Despite C. However
10. Jack is friendly despite the fact that he’s very famous.
A. despite B. although C. however
11. I could not eat although I was really hungry.
A. even though B. in spite C. despite
12. In spite of the rain, the baseball game was not canceled.
A. the rain B. of the rain C. it was raining
13. Despite he had enough money, he refused to buy a house.
A. In spite of B. Despite C. Although
14. Although, he walked to the station.
A. Despite being tired B. Although tired C. In spite of being tired
15. The children slept well, despite the noise.
A. the noise B. of the noise C. noisy
16. She left him even though she still loved him.
A. even though B. in spite of C. despite
17. Despite her lack of hard work, she was promoted.
A. Even though B. in spite of C. despite of
18. Although they are brothers, they do not look alike.
A. Although B. Despite C. In spite of
Đáp án:
1. A 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. B 6. A
7. C 8. B 9. A 10. A 11. A 12. B
13. C 14. A 15. A 16. A 17. B 18. A
Exercise 3: Choose the correct answer for the following questions
1. Mr. Alex arrived late for the meeting despite taking a taxi.
- A. Even though taking a taxi, Mr. Alex was late for the meeting.
- B. In spite of taking a taxi, but Mr.Alex was late for the meeting.
- C. Mr. Alex was late for the meeting despite the fact he took a taxi.
- D. Mr. Alex was late for the meeting although having taken a taxi.
2. Despite the bad traffic, we arrived at the meeting on time.
- A. Despite the traffic was bad, we came to the meeting on time.
- B. In spite of the bad traffic, we came to the meeting on time.
- C. Even though the bad traffic, we came to the meeting on time.
- D. Although the traffic was bad, but we came to the meeting on time.
3. Despite taking a taxi, Nam still arrived late for the concert.
- A. Nam arrived late for the concert whether he took a taxi or not.
- B. Nam arrived late for the concert because of the taxi.
- C. In spite of taking a taxi, Nam arrived late for the concert.
- D. Nam took a taxi to the concert, but he couldn’t catch it.
4. Despite being rich, he can’t afford to buy a new car.
- A. He doesn’t have enough money to buy a new car he likes.
- B. Rich as he is, he can’t afford to buy a new car.
- C. A new car is too expensive for him to buy.
- D. He wants to buy a new car but it costs a lot.
5. Despite feeling tired, Anna stayed up late talking to Tom.
- A. Despite feeling tired, Anna stayed up late talking to Tom.
- B. In spite of feeling tired, Anna stayed up late talking to Tom.
- C. Anna wouldn’t feel tired despite staying up late talking to Tom.
- D. Anna stayed up late talking to Tom. As a result, she was tired.
- C. Mr. Alex was late for the meeting despite the fact he took a taxi.
- B. In spite of the bad traffic, we came to the meeting on time.
- C. In spite of taking a taxi, Nam arrived late for the concert.
- B. Rich as he is, he can’t afford to buy the car.
- A. Despite feeling tired, Anne stayed up late talking to Tom.
