Concession: however hard and no matter what
Strange as it may seem, much as I admire her, however hard I try, no matter what, for all his money.
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A concession admits one fact and then says something that you might not expect because of it. At B2 you used although, even though, despite and in spite of, and at C1 you met strange as it may seem and much as as kinds of fronting. At C2 you use them as part of a wider set of formal and emphatic ways to concede: adjective + as, much as, however + adjective, no matter + wh-word, whatever and for all.
Pattern | Example | Close to |
|---|---|---|
adjective + as / though + clause | Strange as it may seem, I enjoyed it. | Although it may seem strange |
much as + clause | Much as I admire her, I can't agree. | Although I admire her very much |
however + adjective / adverb | However hard I try, I can't sleep. | It doesn't matter how hard I try |
no matter + wh-word | No matter what happens, call me. | Whatever happens |
for all + noun | For all his money, he isn't happy. | Despite all his money |
Adjective + as or though + subject + verb
Put the adjective, adverb or a noun without an article first, then as or though, then the subject and verb in the normal order. The verb is often may + verb or a form of be.
- Strange as it may seem, the cheaper model is the better one.
- Tired though she was, she stayed until the end.
- Fast as she ran, she couldn't catch the bus.
- Child though he was, he understood exactly what was happening.
A noun in this pattern has no a or the.
- Incorrect: Strange as it may seem, but the cheaper model is better.
- Correct: Strange as it may seem, the cheaper model is better.The as clause already means "although", so but is not added.
The same pattern can also give a reason, not a contrast. The context decides.
- Tired as she was, she went to bed early.
Because she was so tired. Only as can give a reason; with though, the clause always means "although": Tired though she was, she stayed.
As strange as it may seem, with an extra as at the start, is also common, especially in American English and in speech.
Much as + clause
Much as + subject + verb means "although ... very much". It goes with verbs of liking, wanting and respect: like, love, admire, respect, enjoy, want, appreciate, sympathise.
- Much as I enjoy her company, I couldn't live with her.
- Much as we appreciate your offer, we must decline it.
- Much as I'd like to help, I simply don't have the time.
However + adjective or adverb + clause
However + adjective, adverb or much / many + subject + verb means "it does not matter how". The adjective or adverb comes straight after however.
- However hard I try, I can't get the hang of it.
- However much it costs, we need a new boiler.
- However tempting the offer may be, read the small print first.
- Incorrect: However I try hard, I can't remember his name.
- Correct: However hard I try, I can't remember his name.The adjective or adverb goes straight after however.
In this use however is not the linking word that means "but". Compare: The plan is good. However, it is expensive.
No matter + wh-word, and whatever
No matter + what, who, where, when, how, which + clause, and the -ever words whatever, whoever, wherever, whenever, whichever, say that the result is the same in every case.
- No matter what you decide, I'll support you.
- No matter how often I explain it, he gets it wrong.
- Wherever you go in the city, you'll find a good café.
- Whoever you ask, you'll get a different answer.
- Incorrect: No matter what will happen, I'll be there.
- Correct: No matter what happens, I'll be there.As after if and when, use a present tense for the future.
No matter what can also stand alone at the end: I'll be there, no matter what.
For all, granted and admittedly
For all + noun phrase means "despite all". Granted (that) and admittedly admit a point before the main argument.
- For all his experience, he made a very basic mistake.
- For all its faults, the old system was easy to use.
- Granted, the hotel was expensive, but the service was excellent.
- Granted that the plan has risks, it is still our best option.
- Admittedly, the course is hard, but it is worth it.