LESSON 2 · FREE
Concession
Admit the other side, then make your point. The heart of a persuasive answer.
The idea
Concession joins two ideas that seem to clash: one fact, and a result you would not expect. It shows the rater you can see both sides, which is exactly what Writing Task 2 and Speaking Tasks 5 and 7 ask for.
Although, even though and though are followed by a full clause (subject + verb). Despite and in spite of are followed by a noun or an -ing form. Use only one linking word: never although … but.
The pattern
- Although / Even though + clause, main clause
- Despite / In spite of + noun or -ing, main clause
- Despite the fact that + clause, main clause
- main clause + although + clause
In depth
01Why raters look for it
A strong opinion answer does not pretend the other side does not exist. It admits the best argument against you, then shows why your position still wins. That is concession, and it is the difference between a CLB 7 and a CLB 9 opinion: the first only lists reasons, the second weighs them.
In Writing Task 2 and Speaking Tasks 5 and 7, one well-placed concession is often enough to move Content/Coherence up a band.
02Although, even though, though
All three are followed by a full clause: a subject and a verb. Although is the neutral choice. Even though is stronger and stresses the surprise. Though is slightly informal and common in speech.
The clause can come first or second. If it comes first, put a comma after it: Although the rent is high, the location is perfect. If it comes second, you usually do not need a comma: The location is perfect although the rent is high.
- Although the course is expensive, it includes a work placement.
- Even though I had booked a table, we waited forty minutes to be seated.
03Despite and in spite of
These are prepositions, so they are followed by a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form, never by a clause. Despite the rain is correct; despite it was raining is wrong.
If you want a clause after them, add the fact that: Despite the fact that it was raining. This is longer, so use it when the reason really needs a subject and a verb.
Never write despite of. Despite stands alone; in spite of needs of.
- Despite the delay, the project was finished within budget.
- In spite of having three years of experience, I was offered an entry-level salary.
04However, nevertheless, even so
These link two separate sentences, not two clauses. Put them at the start of the second sentence with a comma, or after a semicolon: The apartment is small; however, it is close to my work.
Nevertheless and even so are stronger than however. They mean: the first fact is true, and the second happens anyway.
Do not join two sentences with however and a comma only. The apartment is small, however it is close is a run-on sentence.
- The new system is harder to learn. Nevertheless, it will save every team several hours a week.
05The persuasive pattern: concede, then counter
The most useful concession in CELPIP follows three steps: admit the other side’s point, show it is smaller than it looks, then restate your own. Admittedly, Option C is cheaper. However, the difference is only fifty dollars, and my choice saves us two hours every day.
Useful openers for step one: Admittedly, …; It is true that …; I understand that …; While some people argue that …. They sound reasonable without weakening your position.
- While some residents argue that a new library is a luxury, it would give hundreds of students a quiet place to study.
- It is true that cars are convenient; however, a reliable bus network would serve far more people.
06The one rule people break most
Use one linking word for one contrast. Although … but is the single most common error in CELPIP opinion answers. If you start with although, the second half begins without but. If you want but, drop although.
Short to complex
It was raining. We went for a walk.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
He is very busy. He always answers my emails.
Even though he is very busy, he always answers my emails.
The price was high. Many people bought tickets.
Despite the high price, many people bought tickets.
She felt tired. She finished the report.
In spite of feeling tired, she finished the report.
Use it in CELPIP
- Writing Task 2: “Although some residents worry about the cost, free Wi-Fi would help hundreds of students.”
- Speaking Task 5: “Even though Option C is cheaper, my choice would save us far more time.”
A model answer
The structure at work in a real CELPIP answer. Every use is highlighted.
Speaking Task 5 · persuade a friend: downtown apartment over a house in the suburbs
I know you like the idea of a garden, and admittedly the house has much more space. However, think about your daily routine. Even though both options cost the same each month, the house would add almost two hours of driving to every working day. Despite the smaller rooms, the apartment gives you time back, and while a garden is nice in July, you would be shovelling snow off that driveway for five months of the year.
- Admits the other side twice, then turns each point into a reason for the speaker’s choice.
- Mixes a clause concession (even though) with a noun concession (despite) to show range.
Common mistakes
Although it was late, but we kept working.
Although it was late, we kept working.
One linking word is enough. Drop but.
Despite it was raining, we went out.
Despite the rain, we went out.
Despite needs a noun or -ing, not a clause.
Despite of the cost, I bought it.
Despite the cost, I bought it.
Despite never takes of. In spite of does.
Even though is expensive, I like it.
Even though it is expensive, I like it.
Even though needs a subject: it.
Quiz
Answer all 8, then check. Every answer comes with the reason.
- 01
___ the traffic, we arrived on time.
- 02
___ she studied hard, she failed the test.
- 03
Which sentence is correct?
- 04
In spite of ___ tired, he drove home.
- 05
___ the fact that the course is expensive, it is worth it.
- 06
___ it was late, the shop was still open.
- 07
Despite ___ heavy snow, the school stayed open.
- 08
She went to work ___ though she felt sick.