Concessive Clauses: Although, Whereas, Albeit, Notwithstanding
Quick Answer
A concessive clause admits the other side before you make your point: Although the evidence is thin, the argument holds. The family runs from everyday (although, though, even though) to formal (albeit, notwithstanding, much as) — and they are not interchangeable.
See the Pattern First
Each sentence concedes something, then lands the real point:
- Although it was expensive, we bought it.
- The north is industrial, whereas the south is agricultural. (contrast, not concession)
- The trial succeeded, albeit at considerable cost. (+ phrase, not a clause)
- Much as I admire her, I cannot agree. (concedes a feeling)
Concession and contrast look similar but do different jobs. Although says “this is true, and my point still stands”. Whereas simply sets two facts side by side. Using whereas where you mean although weakens the argument.
The Whole Family, and How Formal Each Is
The third column is what most learners never get taught, and it is where the marks are.
| Word | Example | What follows it |
|---|---|---|
| although | Although he was tired, he continued. | a full clause (subject + verb) |
| though | He continued, though he was tired. | full clause; can end a sentence informally |
| even though | Even though it rained, we walked. | full clause; stronger than although |
| whereas | She is cautious, whereas he is bold. | full clause; contrast, not concession |
| while | While I agree in part, I have doubts. | full clause; can also mean during |
| albeit | It worked, albeit slowly. | a phrase, never a full clause |
| despite / in spite of | Despite being tired, he continued. | a noun or -ing, never a clause |
| notwithstanding | Notwithstanding the delay, the project succeeded. | a noun phrase; very formal |
| much as | Much as I admire her, I disagree. | a full clause; concedes a feeling |
Why Concession Makes an Argument Stronger
It seems backwards: why give ground to the other side? Because an argument that never acknowledges a weakness reads as though the writer has not noticed it.
Naming the objection first shows you have already weighed it — and it puts your point in the stronger position, at the end of the sentence, where English carries its weight. Compare “The argument holds, although the evidence is thin” with “Although the evidence is thin, the argument holds.” The second is more persuasive, and the only change is the order.
This is why examiners look for concessive structures in C2 writing. They are evidence that you can hold two ideas at once instead of arguing in a straight line.
Concede first, then land your point — and check whether the word takes a clause, a phrase or a noun.
The Three Traps
Nearly every error with concession is one of these:
- Never use although and but together. Although it was late, but we stayed is wrong. English uses one or the other, never both.
- Despite takes a noun or -ing, never a clause. Despite he was tired ✗ → Despite being tired ✓, or Although he was tired ✓.
- Albeit takes a phrase. Albeit he was late ✗ → albeit late ✓, albeit briefly ✓, albeit at some cost ✓.
Punctuation: when the concessive clause comes first, it takes a comma — Although it rained, we walked. When it comes second, the comma is usually optional.
Mistakes Learners Make (You Are Not Alone)
The first is the single most common error at B2 and above, in every language background.
- ✗ Although it was late, but we stayed. → ✓ Although it was late, we stayed. (one connector, not two)
- ✗ Despite he was tired, he continued. → ✓ Despite being tired, he continued. (or Although he was tired)
- ✗ Albeit he was late, he was welcome. → ✓ He was welcome, albeit late. (albeit takes a phrase)
- ✗ In spite of the rain stopped, we stayed in. → ✓ In spite of the rain, we stayed in.
The although-but error survives for years because it is correct in many other languages. Knowing that is half the cure.
Your Turn — Quick Quiz
Five questions. Watch what each word is allowed to be followed by.
1. 1. Which is correct?
2. 2. Complete: “___ being tired, he finished the race.”
3. 3. Which use of “albeit” is correct?
4. 4. Which sentence shows contrast rather than concession?
5. 5. Which is more persuasive in an essay?
Keep Going
You can now concede a point without conceding the argument, and you know which of these words takes a clause and which does not.
Next, a different kind of care: talking about the past when you are not certain. He must have missed the train. He can’t have forgotten. And the pair that catches everyone — what exactly is the difference between needn’t have gone and didn’t need to go?
Next lesson: Modal Perfects — Must Have, Can’t Have, Needn’t Have
Sources
I’m Khamis Maiouf. English is not my first language – I learned it as an adult in the UK, passed Functional Skills Level 2 in English, qualified in Hairdressing at Level 3, and I’m now studying Business at university. For over five years I’ve taught ESOL classes in my community and tutored students through GCSE English. I write every lesson on this site myself, for the learner I used to be.