1. What concession means, and its structure
Concession means one event did not prevent another: the result goes against expectation. English commonly introduces it with although, though and even though. They create a subordinate clause, while the other clause remains the main one.
The main pattern in this lesson is conjunction + full clause with a subject and verb: Although it rained. The noun phrase the rain alone is unsuitable here. Reduced forms also exist when the omitted elements are understood: Although tired, she kept working; Although working late, she answered the phone. Not every although therefore needs an explicitly stated subject.
Although / Though / Even though + subject + verb, main clause
- subject / S —
- The grammatical subject: who or what the clause is about; the verb agrees with it. In The book was written, the book is the subject, although someone else does the action.
- verb / V —
- A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
- clause —
- A construction with a verb, often with its own subject: when I arrived. A non-finite clause may leave the subject unspoken: to get home.
Although the bakery opened late, it sold out by ten.
Although the bakery opened late, it sold out by ten.
Although is followed by the full clause the bakery opened late; the result is unexpected.
Though we had never met, we recognised each other at once.
Though we had never met, we recognised each other at once.
Though introduces a clause with subject we and the verb phrase had never met.
2. Three conjunctions: strength and register
Although, though and even though all introduce concession. Their difference is strength and style. Even though strengthens the contrast and emphasises a particularly unexpected result. Although is neutral and suitable for writing. Though sounds more conversational.
Standard English has no form even although; the strengthened form is even though. For concession without extra emphasis, Although is sufficient.
Even though the road was closed, the delivery arrived on time.
Even though the road was closed, the delivery arrived on time.
Even though emphasises the particularly unexpected result.
Though it was only a short trip, we packed carefully.
Though it was only a short trip, we packed carefully.
Though is a more conversational version of the same concession.
3. Clause position and the comma
The concessive clause can come at the beginning or end of the sentence. At the beginning, it is separated from the main clause by a comma. At the end, a comma is not compulsory; it is often added to emphasise the contrast.
Position changes emphasis: the opening clause sounds like an acknowledgement, while the main clause carries the central message.
Although the exam was hard, most candidates passed.
Although the exam was hard, most candidates passed.
The clause comes first, followed by a comma.
Most candidates passed although the exam was hard.
Most candidates passed although the exam was hard.
The clause comes last, without a compulsory comma.
4. No but in the main clause
Although already creates a contrast between the two clauses. But also expresses contrast, so using both to join the same clauses duplicates the link. This is a common error: Although it was cheap, but it was good.
The main clause need not be empty of emphasis: still can emphasise the unexpected result without repeating the conjunction.
Although the seats were hard, we still enjoyed the concert.
Although the seats were hard, we still enjoyed the concert.
Still strengthens the result; there is no but.
The seats were hard, but we enjoyed the concert.
The seats were hard, but we enjoyed the concert.
Here two equal clauses are joined by but without although: a different construction.
5. Even though and even if
Even though presents a circumstance as accepted as true: Even though she is busy, she will help. It can also refer to the future: Even though I’ll be away, I’ll answer your messages. Even if means the result holds under that condition regardless of whether it is fulfilled.
Choose by how you present the circumstance: acknowledge it with even though; show that it will not change the result even if fulfilled with even if. Even if can also provisionally accept someone else’s claim; it does not always mean the speaker knows nothing of the truth.
Even though the shop is expensive, I buy my coffee there.
Even though the shop is expensive, I buy my coffee there.
The high price is an actual fact.
Even if the shop is expensive, I will buy my coffee there.
Even if the shop is expensive, I will buy my coffee there.
A possible assumption not yet confirmed.
6. Final though as an adverb
Though has another use: in conversation, it can come at the end of a sentence or phrase as an adverb, rather than a conjunction. It adds a contrast to what came before and does not introduce a subordinate clause.
Although has no such use. To end a phrase with this contrast, use though.
The flat is noisy. The rent is fair, though.
The flat is noisy. The rent is fair, though.
Final though is an adverb adding contrast.
She smiled. Her eyes looked sad, though.
She smiled. Her eyes looked sad, though.
A conversational usage with a comma before though.
7. The rule’s limits
Here we practise concessive clauses with although, though and even though. Despite and in spite of require a noun or -ing and are covered by a related rule. However, nevertheless and nonetheless connect separate sentences and also have their own rule.
Do not add but as a second conjunction joining the same two clauses with although. However has a different grammatical role and can occur in more complex sentences, but one clear linking device is usually enough for a simple contrast.
Although the food was cold, we ate it.
Although the food was cold, we ate it.
A clause follows the conjunction, rather than a noun.
The food was cold. However, we ate it.
The food was cold. However, we ate it.
A different device: a connector between two sentences.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:Although the museum was free, but few tourists visited it.
Correct:Although the museum was free, few tourists visited it.
Although already expresses the contrast, so but in the main clause is unnecessary.
Incorrect:Even although the contract was clear, the supplier demanded changes.
Correct:Even though the contract was clear, the supplier demanded changes.
The strengthened conjunction is even though; standard English has no form even although.
Incorrect:Although the noise from the building site, she managed to sleep.
Correct:Although the building site was noisy, she managed to sleep.
The noise from the building site is a noun phrase without the required predication. Here use a full clause after although, or Despite the noise….
Incorrect:Even though I win the lottery last year, I kept my job.
Correct:Even though I won the lottery last year, I kept my job.
A completed win last year uses Past Simple won. Even though acknowledges that fact and contrasts it with keeping the job.
Incorrect:He looked relaxed. He was furious although.
Correct:He looked relaxed. He was furious, though.
At the end of a phrase, use though as an adverb; although is not used that way.