The C1 concession shelf: albeit + phrase, much as I admire..., adjective + as/though it is, that said, granted
I can concede points elegantly with albeit, much as and fronted-adjective patterns.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Much as I love your banana bread, four loaves a week is a cry for help.
Much as I love your banana bread, four loaves a week is a cry for help.
The expedition succeeded, albeit two days late and entirely out of coffee.
The expedition succeeded, albeit two days late and entirely out of coffee.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Five elegant concessions:
| Device | Example |
|---|---|
| albeit + adj/phrase | a victory, albeit a narrow one |
| much as + clause | Much as I admire her, she's wrong here. |
| adj + as/though + subject + verb | Tired though they were, they kept going. |
| that said / even so | The plan is risky. That said, it might work. |
| granted | Granted, the data is thin, but... |
albeit never takes a full clause: *albeit it was narrow. The fronted-adjective pattern inverts: Tired as they were...
Apply this grammar in C1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesFull clause after albeit
albeit + phrase; clause → although
Adj + as/though unparsed
Fronted adjective = concession
Much as I love your banana bread, four loaves a week is a cry for help.
Much as I love your banana bread, four loaves a week is a cry for help.
much as: affectionate concession before the verdict.
The expedition succeeded, albeit two days late and entirely out of coffee.
The expedition succeeded, albeit two days late and entirely out of coffee.
albeit + phrases: concession in the margins.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in C1 course exercises