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English grammar

Much as I admire her, try as he might: fronting to concede

C1 · Advanced Building the sentence Questions 10

The rule

A concession can be packed into a fronted phrase with as or though for a more emphatic, usually written effect. An adjective or adverb comes first: Strange as it may seem, … (= although it may seem strange); Tired as she was, she kept going; Exhausted though they were, …. Much as + clause means although … very much: Much as I admire her, I cannot support this. A verb can be fronted with as + subject + might / may: Try as he might, he could not open it (= however hard he tried). The main clause follows with no but — the concession has already been made. In formal British English the fronted adjective starts the sentence without a first as (Tired as I was, not As tired as I was, which is informal or American). Be that as it may is the fixed version of the same idea.

Pattern

adjective / adverb + as / though + subject + verb, … · Much as + subject + verb, … · verb + as + subject + might / may, … · (no but in the main clause)

Examples

  1. Strange as it may seem, I actually enjoy long train journeys.

  2. Much as I admire her work, I cannot support this proposal.

  3. Try as he might, he could not remember her name.

  4. Exhausted though they were, the volunteers kept working until dawn.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: As tired as I was, I finished the report.

    Right: Tired as I was, I finished the report.

    In formal British English the fronted adjective comes first, without a first as.

  • Wrong: Try as he might, but he failed.

    Right: Try as he might, he failed.

    The fronted clause already concedes; do not add but.

  • Wrong: Much I as like him, I don’t trust him.

    Right: Much as I like him, I don’t trust him.

    Order: much + as + subject + verb.

Practice questions

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

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence means the same?

    Much as I love my job, I need a break.

    1. Although I love my job a lot, I need a break.
    2. I need a break so that I can love my job.
    3. Because I love my job, I need a break.
    4. I love my job as much as I need a break.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Although I love my job a lot, I need a break.

    Much as = although … very much.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Strange it as sounds, the plan might work.
    2. Strange as sounds it, the plan might work.
    3. Strange as it sounds, the plan might work.
    4. As strange it sounds, the plan might work.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Strange as it sounds, the plan might work.

    adjective + as + subject + verb.

  3. 3Change the sentence.

    Front the adjective for concession.

    Although she was nervous, she gave an excellent speech.

    1. Nervous she as was, she gave an excellent speech.
    2. Nervous as she was, she gave an excellent speech.
    3. Nervous as was she, she gave an excellent speech.
    4. As nervous she was, she gave an excellent speech.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Nervous as she was, she gave an excellent speech.

    Nervous + as + she + was.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the sentence mean?

    Try as they might, they could not open the safe.

    1. They might try to open it later.
    2. They tried a little and then opened it.
    3. They did not try to open the safe.
    4. However hard they tried, they failed to open it.
    Show answer

    Answer: D However hard they tried, they failed to open it.

    Try as they might = however hard they tried.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    Try as she _____, she couldn’t get the lid off.

    1. did
    2. does
    3. will
    4. might
    Show answer

    Answer: D Try as she might, she couldn’t get the lid off.

    verb + as + subject + might.

  6. 6This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    As hard as he worked, but he never got promoted.

    1. Hard as he worked, he never got promoted.
    2. Hard as he worked, but he never got promoted.
    3. Hard he worked as, he never got promoted.
    4. As he hard worked, he never got promoted.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Hard as he worked, he never got promoted.

    Fronted concession, and no but in the main clause.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    Much as I respect him I think he is wrong

    Show answer

    Answer: Much as I respect him I think he is wrong.

    Much as concedes; the main clause disagrees.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    Which is the most formal?

    Four ways to concede a point.

    1. Sounds unlikely, but yeah, the figures are fine.
    2. I know, weird, but the figures are right.
    3. Unlikely as it may seem, the figures are correct.
    4. It seems unlikely, but the figures are right.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Unlikely as it may seem, the figures are correct.

    Fronted concession belongs to formal writing.

  9. 9Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Exhausted we though were, we carried on walking.
    2. Exhausted though we were, we carried on walking.
    3. Exhausted though were we, we carried on walking.
    4. Though exhausted we were, we carried on walking.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Exhausted though we were, we carried on walking.

    though works like as: adjective + though + subject + verb.

  10. 10Change the sentence.

    Front the verb for concession.

    However hard I try, I can’t understand this form.

    1. Try as I may, but I can’t understand this form.
    2. As I try might, I can’t understand this form.
    3. Try as I might, I can’t understand this form.
    4. Might I try as, I can’t understand this form.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Try as I might, I can’t understand this form.

    verb + as + subject + might, with no but.

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