C1 Advanced Subjunctive, concession and advanced passive
Advanced concessive clauses
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can express concession with however, whatever, no matter how, much as, albeit, not just although.
When to use it
- Stressing that nothing changes the outcome: However hard you try, you can't please everyone.
- Whatever the choice: Whatever you decide, I'll support you.
- Conceding then countering, formally: Much as I admire her, I disagree.
Form
| Linker | Followed by | Example |
|---|---|---|
| However | adjective or adverb + S + V | However hard you try, |
| Whatever / Whoever / Wherever | a full clause | Whatever you decide, |
| No matter how / what / where | like However / Whatever | No matter how difficult it is, |
| Much as | a full clause | Much as I like him, |
| albeit | an adjective or phrase, not a clause | useful, albeit expensive |
Step by step
- Decide what will follow the linker.
- An adjective or adverb → However + adjective + S + V.
- A full clause → Whatever or Much as.
- A short phrase inserted mid-sentence → albeit, between commas.
Word order after However
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| However you try hard, | However hard you try, | the adjective comes right after However |
| No matter how the task is difficult, | No matter how difficult the task is, | the adjective comes right after how |
| However you decide, | Whatever you decide, | without an adjective use Whatever |
Examples
However hard you try, you can't please everyone.
Whatever you decide, I will support you.
No matter how difficult it is, don't give up.
Much as I like him, I can't agree with him.
The plan, albeit ambitious, is worth trying.
Wherever you go, I'll find you.
Common mistakes
However you try hard, you can't win. → However hard you try, you can't win.
The adjective or adverb must sit immediately after However. This is the commonest order error here.
No matter how the problem is difficult, we'll solve it. → No matter how difficult the problem is, we'll solve it.
The adjective follows how directly, then the subject and verb.
Albeit he was tired, he kept working. → Although he was tired, he kept working.
albeit does not take a clause — only an adjective or short phrase.
Memory tip
Remember the picture: However always drags an adjective right behind it. If there is no adjective to drag, you need Whatever, not However.
Summary
- However + adjective/adverb + S + V.
- Whatever / Wherever / No matter what + full clause.
- Much as + clause (formal) · albeit + adjective or short phrase.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.