How to Use Concessive Clauses in IELTS Writing

In the IELTS Writing criteria for Grammatical Range and Accuracy, the flexible use of complex sentences to establish logical relationships between ideas is a highly effective tool for elevating your writing style. Among advanced sentence structures, the Adverbial Clause of Concession is a powerful method for presenting multi-dimensional arguments, allowing you to acknowledge an objective fact before emphasizing your main point.

However, this grammar topic is also prone to structural pitfalls, especially when switching between clausal conjunctions and prepositional phrases. This in-depth guide from ECE English will help you systematize all concession structures from basic to advanced, break down common real-world errors, and provide 40 large-scale practice exercises in the official IELTS format.

1. The Nature of Adverbial Clauses of Concession

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

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

2. Summary of Concession Structures from Basic to Advanced

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

2.1 Conjunctions followed by a clause (Although / Even though / Though)

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

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

Example: Although university tuition fees are high, many graduates still consider higher education a valuable investment.

• Structure in the middle of a sentence: S2 + V2 + although / even though / though + S1 + V1 (In academic writing, a comma is usually not used before the conjunction when the dependent clause follows the main clause).

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

• Nuances:

  • Although is formal and 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 a phrase (Despite / In spite of / Notwithstanding)

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

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

Example with a noun phrase: In spite of severe budget shortages, the school successfully upgraded its library facilities.

Example with V-ing (only when subjects of both clauses are the same): Despite facing numerous financial challenges, the research team achieved their target.

Tip for using a clause after a preposition: 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 case for Notwithstanding: Unlike Despite, Notwithstanding is extremely flexible. Besides acting as a preposition before a noun, it can stand after a noun as an adverb (The difficulties notwithstanding, she persisted), or be used with that as a conjunction to connect 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; instead, they link two independent clauses or two separate sentences that express contrasting ideas.

• 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 emphasis to your writing, you can invert adjectives or adverbs to the beginning of the sentence 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.

• Structure with No matter or However as a concessive conjunction: 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 Pitfalls in the IELTS Exam

3.1 Confusing Although and Despite

Students often mistakenly write a complete clause after Despite or place a bare noun phrase after Although.

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

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

3.2 Dangling modifiers in reduced clauses

Reducing a concessive clause to V-ing or V-ed 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).

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

4. Practice Exercises on Concessive Clauses

Part 1: Choose the correct connector (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 most grammatically correct and natural sentence (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 one grammatical error in each sentence below

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 words in brackets

31. Although she has an 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:

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).

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 structure despite the fact that to connect a clause).

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

8. Despite (Followed by V-ing 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:

11. B (A is incorrect because Despite cannot be followed by a complete clause).

12. B (A is incorrect because in spite of cannot be followed by a complete clause).

13. A (B is incorrect because In spite of cannot be followed by a dependent clause).

14. A (Correct advanced inversion structure. B is incorrect because Although is redundant).

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

16. A (Standard structure: No matter how + Adj + S + V. B has incorrect inversion).

17. A (Preposition Notwithstanding is followed by a noun phrase. B is incorrect because Although cannot be followed by a bare noun phrase).

18. A (Natural and complete sentence. B is a sentence fragment due to the mismatched V-ing clause).

19. A (Conjunction though is followed by a complete passive clause. B is incorrect because despite cannot be followed by a clause).

20. A (Contrastive conjunction While creates a standard complex sentence. B commits the classic error of using both Although and but in the same sentence).

Part 3:

21. Error: Despite <span class="math-inline" data-