Function.—In the compound sentence,—“The whale is not a fish, but we speak of the ‘whale fishery,’” we have joined two thoughts which are opposed to each other, but we have made them of equal importance. Now, if we wish to make one of them more prominent, and at the same time indicate that it is true in spite of the other, we construct our sentence as follows,—“The whale is not a fish though we speak of the ‘whale fishery.’”
Here the main thought is the whale is not a fish, and by the form in which we have expressed the other thought, we have shown not only that there is an opposition between the two thoughts,—which was likewise shown in the compound sentence,—but also that it is strange that the two thoughts are true at the same time when they seem mutually contradictory. This second sentence is complex, and the dependent proposition is an adverbial clause of concession. It does not necessarily indicate that two thoughts are opposed to each other; sometimes they only stand in contrast; as, “While (= though) his fame rests on his Meditations, as that of David rests upon his Psalms, he yet rendered great military service to The Empire.”—Lord.
We may define a concessive clause as one that concedes or grants something in contrast or opposition to what is expressed in the principal proposition. It modifies a verb or a verb with modifiers. It varies but little in function, the slight variations being indicated by the choice of the introductory word.
Introductory Word.—1. Though or although. This is the conjunction oftenest used; indeed, all the other words or phrases used are more or less equivalent to it in meaning. Albeit was formerly much used, and we occasionally find it in poetry now, but it is very seldom used in spoken English or in ordinary prose composition.
2. Whether.—This word with its correlative or is used when we wish to say that a thing is true in spite of two other facts or conditions which are contrary to each other; as, “The balconies are always charming, whether they hang high over the streets or look out upon the canals.”—Howells.
3. The indefinite pronouns whoever, whatever, whichever; the adjectives whatever and whichever; and the adverb however. These words signify that the clause is to be taken in its widest possible application; as, “Upon whatever career you may enter, intellectual quickness, industry, and the power of bearing fatigue are three great advantages.”—Huxley. Here the clause means,—though you may enter upon any career whatsoever.
4. No matter.—This phrase together with the adverb how is a frequent substitute for the connective however. It emphasizes the scope of the clause and thus makes the opposition between the principal proposition and the clause seem greater; thus, “The guns can be fired in any direction, no matter how the ship is lying.”
5. While.—In some sentences this is nearly equivalent to though; in others it carries with it an idea of time as well as concession; thus, “Both Charles himself and his creature Laud, while they abjured the innocent badges of popery, retained all its worst vices.”—Macaulay.
6. If.—When the adversative relation between the two propositions is perfectly clear without being indicated by the connective, if or even if may be employed in the place of though. A concessive clause so introduced must not be confounded with the clause of condition. In the latter if can be changed to provided; in the former if is equivalent to though; for example, “If the scenery failed to charm, the names of places did not fail to astonish us.”—Bolles.
7. Notwithstanding or notwithstanding that.—The former of these is more frequently met with as a preposition introducing a concessive phrase and meaning about the same as in spite of; thus, “Notwithstanding the increasing illness of his sister, he was able to enjoy some cheerful society.”—Ainger. But sentences like the following are not uncommon,—“Notwithstanding the wind was favorable to each alike, both vessels had deviated from the direct line and were steering toward a common center.”—Cooper.