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Concessive structures: Much as…, Be that as it may
C2 C2 grammar · lesson 11 of 12
Beyond although and despite, English has a range of sophisticated concessive structures. They let you accept one idea while giving more weight to another, with precision and style.
Beyond although
You know although, though, even though, despite and in spite of, and you met Be that as it may as a fixed expression. These advanced structures do the same job – introduce a contrast that does not change the main point – but with stronger emphasis or a more literary tone.
| Structure | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Much as | Much as + subject + verb | Much as I admire her, I can’t agree. |
| Adjective/adverb + as/though | Adj + as + subject + verb | Tired as she was, she kept going. |
| However/No matter how | However + adj/adv + clause | However hard we tried, it failed. |
| For all | For all + noun phrase | For all his money, he is lonely. |
| Whatever/Whoever… | Wh-ever + clause | Whatever you decide, tell me. |
| Be that as it may | sentence adverbial | Be that as it may, rules are rules. |
| While / Whilst | While + clause | While I understand, I disagree. |
Examples
Much as we would like to help, we simply don’t have the staff.
Strange as it may seem, the desert can be very cold at night.
Try as he might, Leo couldn’t open the jar.
No matter how carefully you plan, something unexpected will happen.
For all its faults, the system works surprisingly well.
The idea is risky. Be that as it may, it deserves a trial.
Whoever is responsible, the problem must be fixed today.
Admirable though his aims are, his methods are questionable.
Watch the grammar
Much as, however and whatever are followed by a full clause. For all, despite and in spite of are followed by a noun phrase (or the fact that). In the adjective + as pattern, may or might often adds a sense of «it could be so, but still…».
✗ So tired as she was, she kept going.
✓ Tired as she was, she kept going.
✗ For all he is rich, he is unhappy.
✓ For all his wealth, he is unhappy.
✗ Much as I like him, but I won’t vote for him.
✓ Much as I like him, I won’t vote for him.
✗ However we tried hard, we lost.
✓ However hard we tried, we lost.