How to Use Concessive Clauses in IELTS Writing

In the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion of the IELTS Writing test, skillfully using complex sentences to establish logical relationships between ideas is one of the most effective ways to elevate your writing style. Among advanced sentence structures, the Adverbial Clause of Concession is a powerful tool for presenting multi-dimensional arguments, acknowledging an objective reality before emphasizing your main thesis.

However, this grammar point is also fraught with structural traps, especially when switching between clausal conjunctions and prepositional phrases. This in-depth article from ECE English will help you systematize all concessive structures from basic to advanced, break down real-world errors, and provide 40 large-scale practice questions in the standard IELTS format.

1. The Nature of Adverbial Clauses of Concession

An adverbial clause of concession is a dependent clause used to express contrasting information or a circumstance that goes against the expected result in the main clause. In Vietnamese, this structure is equivalent to saying “Although… but…”.

Important Note on Consistency: In English, when a sentence uses a concessive conjunction (Although, Even though, Though), you must not use the conjunction but in the main clause (and vice versa) to avoid grammatical redundancy.

2. Comprehensive Concessive Structures from Basic to Advanced

To use long complex sentences accurately in your essays, you need to categorize concessive connectors into distinct grammatical functions:

2.1 Conjunctions Followed by Clauses (Although / Even though / Though)

These conjunctions must be followed by a complete clause containing a subject and a conjugated verb.

• At the beginning of a sentence: Although / Even though / Though + S1 + V1, S2 + V2

Example: Although the price of university tuition fees is high, many graduates still consider higher education a valuable investment.

• In the middle of a sentence: S2 + V2 + although / even though / though + S1 + V1 (In academic writing, a comma is usually omitted before the conjunction when the dependent clause comes second).

Example: The government decided to implement the new environmental policy even though many local businesses expressed disagreement.

• Nuances of Usage:

  • Although is formal and typically preferred in Academic Writing.

  • Even though emphasizes a stronger contrast.

  • Though is more common in spoken English and can stand alone at the end of a sentence as an adverb meaning “however” (The salary is low; I like the working conditions, though).

2.2 Prepositions Followed by Phrases (Despite / In spite of / Notwithstanding)

These prepositions cannot be followed by a complete clause; they must be followed by a noun, a noun phrase, or a gerund (V-ing).

• Structure: Despite / In spite of + Noun / Noun Phrase / V-ing, S + V

Noun phrase example: In spite of severe budget shortages, the school successfully upgraded its library facilities.

V-ing example (Applied only when both clauses share the same subject): Despite facing numerous financial challenges, the research team achieved their target.

Tip for keeping a clause after prepositions: If you want to keep a complete clause after these prepositions, you can insert the phrase the fact that.

• • Structure: Despite / In spite of + the fact that + S1 + V1, S2 + V2

Special use of Notwithstanding: Unlike Despite, Notwithstanding is extremely flexible. Besides acting as a preposition before a noun, it can appear after a noun as an adverb (The difficulties notwithstanding, she persisted), or be followed by that to function as a conjunction connecting a clause (Notwithstanding that the metric was imperfect, it provided useful insights).

2.3 Conjunctive Adverbs (However / Nevertheless)

These are not used to connect a dependent clause to a main clause within a complex sentence; instead, they link two independent clauses or two separate simple sentences with contrasting meanings.

• Structure 1: S1 + V1. However / Nevertheless, S2 + V2.

Example: Adopting new technologies requires comprehensive staff training. However, the long-term benefits to efficiency are significant.

• Parenthetical structure: S1 + V1. S2, however / nevertheless, V2.

Example: The interview process was exceptionally difficult. The candidate, nevertheless, managed to secure the position.

2.4 Advanced Concessive Inversion Structures (For Band 7.5+ GRA)

To add flair to your essay-writing style, you can front an adjective or adverb using these special formulas:

• Inversion with AS or THOUGH: Adj / Adv + as / though + S1 + V1, S2 + V2

Example: Exhausted as the employees were after the intensive training session, they completed the required documents on time.

• Structures with No matter or However acting as concessive conjunctions: No matter how / However + Adj/Adv + S1 + V1, S2 + V2

Example: However demanding the working conditions are, effective leadership can maintain high employee morale.

3. Common Practical Pitfalls in the IELTS Test

3.1 Confusing Although and Despite

Test-takers frequently place a complete clause after Despite or leave a bare noun phrase after Although.

• Incorrect: Although the heavy rain, the delivery team transported the goods safely.

• Correction: Despite the heavy rain, the delivery team transported the goods safely.

3.2 Misrelated Participle Clauses (Subject Mismatch)

Reducing a concessive clause to a V-ing or V-ed phrase is only permitted when the subjects of both clauses are identical.

Incorrect: Although entering the library quietly, the book was found damaged by the student. -> (Incorrect because the subject of the second clause is the book, which cannot perform the action of entering).

Correction: Although entering the library quietly, the student found that the book was damaged. -> (Matching subject the student -> Correct).

4. Concessive Clause Practice Exercises

Part 1: Choose the correct connector to complete each sentence (Although, Despite, However)

1. ________ she spent weeks conducting thorough academic research, her thesis did not achieve the expected score.

2. The project was highly demanding; ________, the assistant completed it ahead of schedule.

3. ________ a rapid increase in operational costs, the education center decided to lower tuition fees for international students.

4. ________ the weather forecast was unfavorable, the logistics team delivered the critical materials on time.

5. Lương Thảo Nhi managed to score an 8.0 band in IELTS ________ facing severe time constraints during her preparation.

6. The executive director approved the procurement plan ________ the fact that some committee members expressed objections.

7. Managing a company of forty employees is challenging. It is, ________, a rewarding experience for the young manager.

8. ________ trying as hard as he could, the researcher could not resolve the mathematical paradox yesterday.

9. The working conditions at the newly established office are flexible ________ the strict guidelines on dress code.

10. ________ the severe pandemic-related restrictions, the software startup successfully launched its new interface.

Part 2: Choose the grammatically correct and most natural sentence option (A or B)

11. A. Despite the weather was chilly and windy, they decided to organize the outdoor enrollment event.

B. Although the weather was chilly and windy, they decided to organize the outdoor enrollment event.

12. A. He decided to accept the office management job in spite of the salary was low.

B. He decided to accept the office management job in spite of the low salary.

13. A. Even though I hadn’t eaten for twelve hours, I did not feel hungry during the examination.

B. In spite of I hadn’t eaten for twelve hours, I did not feel hungry during the examination.

14. A. Cold as the weather was, the team managed to complete the landscape project on time.

B. Although cold as the weather was, the team managed to complete the landscape project on time.

15. A. The job was very demanding, but they decided to continue working there nevertheless.

B. The job was very demanding, although they decided to continue working there nevertheless.

16. A. No matter how difficult the exam was, the students remained calm throughout the test.

B. No matter how difficult was the exam, the students remained calm throughout the test.

17. A. Notwithstanding some members’ objections, we must go ahead with the procurement plan.

B. Although some members’ objections, we must go ahead with the procurement plan.

18. A. She did not sign the contract although she knew all the operational benefits.

B. She did not sign the contract although knowing all the operational benefits.

19. A. The device worked perfectly, though it was manufactured ten years ago.

B. The device worked perfectly, despite it was manufactured ten years ago.

20. A. While he is very hardworking, his brothers are rather lazy and irresponsible.

B. Although he is very hardworking, but his brothers are rather lazy and irresponsible.

Part 3: Correct the single grammatical error in each of the following sentences

21. Despite the story of the historical film was complicated, the students understood its core message.

22. Although her severe illness, the headteacher went to the center to manage the enrollment event.

23. In spite of enter the boardroom quietly, the assistant was still noticed by the executive director.

24. Although tired as she was after the long journey, she forced herself to review the lesson plans.

25. There is little chance that we will change the regulation. Nevertheless but it is important that we try.

26. Regardless of the fact that the salary was unfair, but he decided to sign the labor contract.

27. No matter what challenges may arises in the future, the team will keep moving forward together.

28. Although the bad weather, the container ship carrying commercial goods arrived on schedule.

29. She enjoys both classical music and jazz, although she cannot play any musical instrument nevertheless.

30. However difficult was the final examination, the candidate managed to achieve an excellent score.

Part 4: Rewrite the sentences keeping the same meaning using the prompts in parentheses

31. Although she has a German name, she is in fact a French citizen. (Despite)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

32. The logistics team got very wet in the rain. They carried high-quality umbrellas. (Even though)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

33. He decided to accept the administrative job although the salary was extremely low. (In spite of)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

34. We lost the football match although we were considered the better team. (Despite)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

35. In spite of not having eaten for twelve hours, the candidate felt highly energetic. (Even though)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

36. They have very little operational funding. However, they are highly satisfied with their progress. (In spite of)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

37. Our feet were severely injured, but we managed to walk to the nearest village. (Although)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

38. I thoroughly enjoyed the academic lecture. The presentation style was a bit repetitive. (In spite of)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

39. The exam was extremely difficult, but the students remained calm throughout the test. (No matter)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

40. The office equipment was very expensive. The manager decided to approve the procurement plan. (Nevertheless)

-> ________________________________________________________________________

5. Answer Key

Part 1 Answers:

1. Although (Followed by a complete clause she spent weeks…).

2. however (Starts the second clause after a semicolon and is followed by a comma as a conjunctive adverb).

3. Despite (Followed by a noun phrase a rapid increase in…).

4. Although (Followed by a complete clause the weather forecast was…).

5. despite (Followed by a gerund phrase facing severe time constraints).

6. despite (Using the prepositional structure with the phrase despite the fact that).

7. however (Parenthetical position in the middle of the sentence, separated by two commas).

8. Despite (Followed by the V-ing form trying as hard as…).

9. despite (Followed by a noun phrase the strict guidelines).

10. Despite (Followed by a noun phrase the severe pandemic-related restrictions).

Part 2 Answers:

11. B (Sentence A is incorrect because it uses Despite before a complete clause).

12. B (Sentence A is incorrect because it uses in spite of before a complete clause).

13. A (Sentence B is incorrect because it uses the prepositional phrase In spite of before a dependent clause).

14. A (Applies the advanced concessive inversion structure correctly. Sentence B is incorrect because of the redundant word Although).

15. A (The adverb nevertheless is placed at the end of the second clause to emphasize contrast connected by the conjunction but. However, in high-level academic writing, separating two sentences with a semicolon and an independent nevertheless is preferred).

16. A (Standard structure for a complex sentence with No matter how: No matter how + Adj + S + V. Sentence B contains a faulty inversion error).

17. A (The preposition Notwithstanding is followed by a noun phrase. Sentence B is incorrect because a bare noun cannot follow Although).

18. A (The sentence is written naturally with a full clause. Sentence B suffers from a syntactic fragment error by inserting a misrelated V-ing phrase in the second clause).

19. A (The conjunction though is followed by a complete passive clause. Sentence B is incorrect because a clause follows the preposition despite).

20. A (The contrast conjunction While creates a standard complex sentence. Sentence B commits the classic error of using both Although and but