Reduced concessive adverb clauses

Concessive adverb clauses introduce a contrast, concession, or an idea that is opposite or unexpected to the main clause. Concessive adverb clauses are introduced by a concessive subordinator such as although, though, or even though. These types of clauses can be reduced to make the information more concise.

The way they are reduced depends on the type of verb in the concessive clause. If the verb is passive, they are usually reduced using a past participle clause introduced by a concessive subordinator. If the verb is active, they are normally reduced using the prepositions despite or in spite of.

1. Those that describe a visible or physical state.
2. Those that describe a background situation, condition, time or reason.

This guide and a number of reduced concessive adverb clause activities are available to download as PDF documents.

Passive verbs – concessive past participle clauses

When the original concessive adverb clause is in the passive voice, these are reduced to past participle clauses. For example:

• Although he was injured, he finished the match.
  • Although injured, he finished the match.
• Even though she had been warned about the danger, she ignored the advice.
  • Even though warned about the danger, she ignored the advice.

Here are some more examples:

• Although surprised by the news, she stayed calm. (Although she was surprised…)
• Though confused by the instructions, he completed the task. (Though he was confused…)
• Even though delayed by traffic, they arrived on time. (Even though they were delayed…)
• Though overlooked for promotion, she remained loyal to the company. (Though she was overlooked…)
• Although disappointed with the result, she congratulated her opponent. (Although she was disappointed…)
• Though surrounded by critics, he defended his decision. (Though he was surrounded…)

Active verbs – despite/in spite of

While it is grammatically possible, and in the past even common, for concessive adverb clauses with active verbs to be reduced to the present participle introduced by a concessive subordinator, this is rare in modern English.

Instead, these clauses are reduced using the prepositions despite or in spite of followed by the gerund form of the verb (which also happens to be the –ing form) to create an adverbial prepositional phrase. For example:

• Despite living nearby, they rarely visit us. (Although they live nearby…)
• In spite of knowing the risks, he went ahead. (Although he knew the risks…)
• Despite owning a car, he walks to work. (Although he owns a car…)

If the verb is be, then the gerund form being is used after the preposition:

• Despite being tired, he kept working. (Although he was tired…)
• In spite of being young, she is very experienced. (Although she is young…)
• Despite being short of money, they decided to travel anyway. (Although they were short of money…)

If the verb in the concessive adverb clause is in a perfect tense, this is reduced to the perfect gerund form (having + past participle):

• Despite having worked here for three months, he doesn’t know many people. (Although he has worked here…)
• In spite of having trained very little, he finished the marathon. (Although he had trained…)
• Despite having lost lots of money, he keeps gambling. (Although he has lost lots of money…)

Download worksheets