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English grammar

Conceding: however, whatever, no matter how

B2 · Upper intermediate Joining sentences Questions 10

The rule

A concessive clause admits something and then says it changes nothing. B1 has although and despite. B2 adds the -ever family, which concedes every possibility at once: However carefully you word it, somebody will object. Whatever they decide, we appeal. No matter how many times I ring, nobody answers. Two structures are worth the effort: however plus an adjective or adverb goes first, and much as opens a concession in formal writing — Much as I would like to help, I cannot.

Pattern

However + adjective/adverb + subject + verb · Whatever / Whoever / Whenever … · No matter how / what / who … · Much as + subject + verb

Examples

  1. However carefully you word it, somebody will take offence.

  2. Whatever the outcome, I would like it in writing.

  3. No matter how often we report it, nothing is done.

  4. Much as I sympathise, the rule is the rule.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: However you word it carefully, somebody will object.

    Right: However carefully you word it, somebody will object.

    The adverb comes straight after however.

  • Wrong: No matter what do they decide, we appeal.

    Right: No matter what they decide, we appeal.

    The concessive clause takes statement word order.

  • Wrong: Despite of the rain, the match went ahead.

    Right: Despite the rain, the match went ahead.

    despite never takes of.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. However we try hard, the deadline will slip.
    2. How hard however we try, the deadline will slip.
    3. However hardly we try, the deadline will slip.
    4. However hard we try, the deadline will slip.
    Show answer

    Answer: D However hard we try, the deadline will slip.

    Adverb straight after however.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Who ever signed it did not read it.
    2. Whoever did sign it did not read it.
    3. Whoever signing it did not read it.
    4. Whoever signed it did not read it.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Whoever signed it did not read it.

    whoever heads the clause with normal order.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Much as I would like to, I cannot agree.
    2. Much as I would like to, I can agree not.
    3. As much I would like to, I cannot agree.
    4. Much although I would like to, I cannot agree.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Much as I would like to, I cannot agree.

    Much as opens a formal concession.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    _____ expensive it looks, it is cheaper over five years.

    1. How
    2. Whichever
    3. However
    4. Whatever
    Show answer

    Answer: C However expensive it looks, it is cheaper over five years.

    However plus an adjective.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    _____ they say, the letter is dated the ninth.

    1. Whenever
    2. Whatever
    3. However
    4. Wherever
    Show answer

    Answer: B Whatever they say, the letter is dated the ninth.

    Whatever concedes any statement.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    No matter _____ I ring, the line is busy.

    1. when
    2. that
    3. which
    4. while
    Show answer

    Answer: A No matter when I ring, the line is busy.

    No matter when concedes every time.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    _____ of the delay, the guarantee still stands.

    1. Regarding
    2. Regarded
    3. Regard
    4. Regardless
    Show answer

    Answer: D Regardless of the delay, the guarantee still stands.

    Regardless of is the fixed phrase.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    _____ the second survey, the sale went through.

    1. Notwithstand
    2. Notwithstanding of
    3. Not with standing
    4. Notwithstanding
    Show answer

    Answer: D Notwithstanding the second survey, the sale went through.

    Notwithstanding is formal and takes no of.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. Although they were warned, they carried on.
    2. In spite of the warning, they carried on.
    3. Despite of the warning, they carried on.
    4. Despite the warning, they carried on.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Despite of the warning, they carried on.

    despite and of do not combine.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. No matter how much they spend, it will not help.
    2. Whatever they spend, it will not help.
    3. However much money they will spend, it will not help.
    4. However much money they spend, it will not help.
    Show answer

    Answer: C However much money they will spend, it will not help.

    The concessive clause takes the present, not will.

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