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❖ Unit 5 ❖ Women and Power ❖ Functions ❖

Expressing Addition & Concession

Two functions to enrich your writing: addition (adding information) and concession (showing a contrast or unexpected outcome).

1

Expressing ADDITION

Different ways to add information to a previous statement:

2

Expressing CONCESSION

To show a contrast or unexpected outcome:

① but / however / yet / nevertheless
Safa was sick, but she went to school.
Safa was sick. However, she went to school.
② although / though / even though + clause
Although Safa was sick, she went to school.
Safa went to school although she was sick.
③ in spite of / despite + noun / V-ing
In spite of being sick, Safa went to school.
In spite of her sickness, Safa went to school.
Despite the rain, we went out.
④ in spite of the fact that + clause
In spite of the fact that Safa was sick, she went to school.
3

Practice 1 — Addition

Rewrite with the given linker
  1. Schools in rural areas are far from houses. They need a lot of necessities. (What's more) → Schools in rural areas are far from houses. What's more, they need a lot of necessities.
  2. Women play a big role in the family. They contribute to development. (as well as) → Women play a big role in the family as well as contributing to the development of society.
  3. Marrakech is a beautiful city. It has good weather. (in addition to) → In addition to having good weather, Marrakech is a beautiful city.
  4. Facebook facilitates communication. It is also a means of research. (Moreover) → Facebook facilitates communication. Moreover, it is a means of research.
  5. Good students participate in class. They revise their lessons at home. (not only … but also) → Good students not only participate in class, but they also revise their lessons at home.
4

Practice 2 — Concession

Rewrite with the given linker
  1. Omar is poor. He managed to send all his children to school. (although) → Although Omar is poor, he managed to send all his children to school.
  2. A lot of students got nice marks. The exam was difficult. (However) → The exam was difficult. However, a lot of students got nice marks.
  3. Nada missed the bus. She got up early. (despite) → Despite getting up early, Nada missed the bus.
  4. The government has made efforts. A lot of people are still illiterate. (Though) → Though the government has made great efforts, a lot of people are still illiterate.
  5. The lesson is easy. Some students don't understand it. (yet) → The lesson is easy, yet some students don't understand it.
  6. Linda is beautiful. Jack doesn't want to marry her. (even though) → Even though Linda is beautiful, Jack doesn't want to marry her.
  7. Tom is rich. Brenda refuses to marry him. (in spite of) → In spite of Tom's wealth, Brenda refuses to marry him.
5

National Exam items

Past Bac questions
  1. Economic crisis, but house prices still high. (despite) → Despite the economic crisis in the country, house prices are still high.
  2. Kenza works hard, but helps her son with homework. (although) → Although Kenza works hard at the office, she always finds time to help her son with his homework.
  3. Students planted trees + cleaned classrooms. (not only … but also) → The students not only planted trees, but they also cleaned all the classrooms.
  4. Malaysia exports tech + invests in tourism. (in addition to) → In addition to exporting high technology, Malaysia invests in tourism.
  5. Randa went to work, doctor advised her to stay in bed. (although) → Although the doctor advised her to stay in bed, Randa went to work this morning.
  6. Measures taken, many still jobless. (despite) → Despite the new measures taken to reduce unemployment, many people are still jobless.
  7. Many drop out, conditions have improved. (although) → Although the conditions have improved a lot, many students are dropping out of school.
  8. Jawad read instructions, couldn't install printer. (although) → Although Jawad read the instructions carefully, he wasn't able to install the printer.
  9. Friends decided to excursion, might face difficulties. (despite) → Despite the difficulties they might face, my friends decided to go on an excursion to the Atlas Mountains.
  10. Sonia went to work, not feeling well. (although) → Although Sonia was not feeling well, she went to work yesterday.

❖ Key Takeaways ❖

① Two functions, two purposes

Addition = "+", concession = "but" / "however". Don't confuse them.

② Structure rules

Although / though / even though + subject + verb. In spite of / despite + noun / V-ing.

③ Punctuation

Linkers like Moreover, However, Therefore always need a comma after them.

❖ Exam tip

A frequent trap: students write "although + V-ing". WRONG. Use "although + subject + verb", or replace with "despite + V-ing".

❖ Unit 5 — Women and Power — Functions: Addition & Concession ❖