Grammar Focus

Explicación (en español)

En el nivel C1 Advanced, las cláusulas de concesión (adverbial clauses of concession) son fundamentales para mostrar contraste o sorpresa entre dos ideas. Se utilizan para introducir una idea que parece contradecir lo que se dice en la cláusula principal. Por ejemplo, aunque un proyecto de rewilding sea costoso, puede ser extremadamente beneficioso para la biodiversidad.

La mayoría de los conectores como although y even though funcionan de manera similar al "aunque" en español. Sin embargo, la diferencia de matiz es importante: even though es más fuerte que although, enfatizando que el hecho es sorprendente. Por otro lado, estructuras como much as (que equivale a "por mucho que...") o for all that (que significa "a pesar de todo eso") son mucho más sofisticadas y se utilizan para elevar el registro de tu inglés hacia un nivel académico o profesional.

Un error típico de los hispanohablantes es intentar usar despite o in spite of seguido de una oración completa con sujeto y verbo. Recuerda que despite/in spite of deben ir seguidos de un sustantivo o un gerundio (-ing), mientras que although/even though requieren una cláusula completa. Además, con much as, el orden suele ser: Much as + sujeto + verbo + cláusula principal (ej. Much as I love nature, I hate camping), lo cual es una estructura muy elegante para exámenes de Cambridge.

Finalmente, ten cuidado con la posición de estas cláusulas. Pueden ir al principio o al final de la frase. Si empiezan con el conector, se suele colocar una coma después de la cláusula de concesión para separar las dos ideas. Si el conector está en medio, la coma suele ser opcional, aunque se usa para marcar una pausa clara en frases largas.

Form — estructura

Examples

1. Although the rewilding project was initially unpopular, it has restored the local ecosystem. (Aunque el proyecto de rewilding no fue popular al principio, ha restaurado el ecosistema local.)
2. Even though habitat loss is a major threat, some species are making a remarkable comeback. (A pesar de que la pérdida de hábitat es una gran amenaza, algunas especies están regresando de forma notable.)
3. Much as the government wants to protect the wetlands, economic pressures often interfere. (Por mucho que el gobierno quiera proteger los humedales, las presiones económicas a menudo interfieren.)
4. For all that the park faces funding cuts, conservation efforts continue unabated. (A pesar de que el parque se enfrenta a recortes de financiación, los esfuerzos de conservación continúan sin cesar.)
5. Even though invasive species are difficult to manage, they must be eradicated to save native flora. (Aunque las especies invasoras son difíciles de gestionar, deben ser erradicadas para salvar la flora nativa.)
6. Much as we value technological progress, we must not forget the importance of natural habitats. (Por mucho que valoremos el progreso tecnológico, no debemos olvidar la importancia de los hábitats naturales.)
7. Although climate change accelerates, local conservation efforts can still make a difference. (Aunque el cambio climático se acelera, los esfuerzos de conservación local aún pueden marcar la diferencia.)
8. For all that they face constant criticism, conservationists play a vital role in biodiversity. (A pesar de que se enfrentan a críticas constantes, los conservacionistas desempeñan un papel vital en la biodiversidad.)

Contrast

1. ✗ Despite the project was expensive, it was successful. / ✓ Although the project was expensive, it was successful. (Error: despite no puede ir seguido de una cláusula con sujeto y verbo).
2. ✗ Much as I love wildlife, but I cannot ignore the costs. / ✓ Much as I love wildlife, I cannot ignore the costs. (Error: No se debe usar but si ya has usado un conector de concesión al principio).
3. ✗ Even though the loss of habitat, they survived. / ✓ Despite the loss of habitat, they survived. (Error: even though requiere un sujeto y un verbo).
4. ✗ For all that the difficulties, the species was saved. / ✓ For all that there were difficulties, the species was saved. (Error: for all that requiere una cláusula completa).

Mini-quiz — 10 preguntas

Part 1: Sentence Transformation (Rewrite the sentences using the word in bold so that they have a similar meaning to the original).

1. Although the rangers worked hard, they couldn't stop the poaching. (Much)

2. Despite the fact that the area is protected, illegal logging continues. (Even)

3. I really want to visit the national park, but I don't have enough time. (Much)

4. The species is endangered, but it is still widely distributed. (Although)

5. Even though he had many advantages, he failed to save the ecosystem. (For all)

Part 2: Multiple Choice (Choose the correct option).

6. ____ the rising temperatures, the migratory patterns remain somewhat predictable. a) Although b) Despite c) Much as

7. ____ the threat of extinction, the population of wolves has increased. a) Even though b) For all that c) In spite of

8. ____ we respect traditional farming, we must implement modern conservation techniques. a) Much as b) Despite c) For all that

9. ____ the heavy rain, the researchers continued their field study. a) Although b) Even though c) In spite of

10. ____ the local community opposed the dam, it was eventually built. a) Much as b) Even though c) Despite

Respuestas: 1. Much as the rangers worked hard, they couldn't stop the poaching. 2. Even though the area is protected, illegal logging continues. 3. Much as I want to visit the national park, I don't have enough time. 4. Although the species is endangered, it is still widely distributed. 5. For all that he had many advantages, he failed to save the ecosystem. 6. b) Despite 7. c) In spite of 8. a) Much as 9. c) In spite of 10. b) Even though