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English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate (Unit 64: Concession and contrast)


A. Verbs of Concession

Concession means accepting one part of an idea or fact, but putting another, more important argument or fact against it.

It can be expressed with a conjunction (e.g., Although they were poor, they were independent), an adverb (e.g., He is a bit stupid. He’s very kind, nevertheless), or through verbs like those in the table below.

Example Paraphrase and Comments
I acknowledge/accept that he has worked hard but it isn’t enough. I agree but … (accept is less formal than acknowledge).
I admit I was wrong, but I still think we were right to doubt her. I accept I’m guilty of what I’m accused of.
I concede that you are right about the goal, but not the method. You have won this point in our argument. (Rather formal, used in debates/arguments.)

B. Adverbs and Other Phrases Showing Contrast

These examples are fairly informal:

  • OK, you’re sorry. That’s all well and good / That’s all very well, but how are you going to pay us back?
  • You shouldn’t seem so surprised. After all, I did warn you.
  • It’s all very well saying you love dogs, but who will take it for walks if we do get one?
  • He is boring, and he is rather cold and unfriendly, but for all that, he is your uncle and we should invite him.

These examples are more formal:

  • Admittedly, she put a lot of effort in, but it was all wasted.
  • I thought she didn’t like me. In fact, the reverse was true.
  • In Europe they use metric measurements. In contrast, the USA still uses many non-metric measurements.
  • It’s not actually raining now. On the other hand, it may rain later, so take the umbrella.

C. Collocating Phrases for Contrast

  • When it comes to politics, Jamie and Isla are poles apart.
  • There’s a world of difference between being a friend and a lover.
  • There’s a great divide between city residents and people who live in the country.
  • A yawning gap divides the rich and poor in many countries.
  • There’s a huge discrepancy between his ideals and his actions.

Language Help

On the other hand means ‘that is true and this is also true if we look at it from a different viewpoint’. Example: Life in the country is nice and quiet. On the other hand, you have to go a long way to get to the shops.

On the contrary is a rather formal expression meaning ‘that is not true; the opposite is true’. Example: A: You must be pleased with your exam results. B: On the contrary, I thought they would be much better.
Exercise-64.1


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