Expressions of concession

🔊 المعلّمة تقرأ لك

James is for advertising, Jenny is against it. When Jenny attacks, James does not simply say no: « Advertising doesn't force you to buy something you don't want though it may influence your choice of a product. » He admits part of her point — and keeps his own. You already know how to make a concession; this lesson makes sure you can use the expressions of concession inside your sentences, in a debate and in a speech. How do you admit your opponent's point without losing the argument?

🎓في نهاية هذا الدرس ستكون قادرا على:

التعبير عن التسليم بأدوات الربط ⁦though · although · while · despite the fact that · in spite of the fact that⁩
استعمال ظروف التسليم ⁦admittedly · undoubtedly · certainly⁩ ثمّ العودة إلى الحجّة بـ ⁦still · this being said⁩
التمييز بين ⁦despite · in spite of⁩ + مركّب اسميّ، و ⁦despite the fact that⁩ + جملة
تحضير حوار وخطاب حجاجيّ عن الإشهار، فيهما تسليم دون تعصّب

🔑يفترض هذا الدرس أنّك تتقن:

الجملة الرئيسيّة والجملة التابعة ⁦(main clause · subordinate clause)⁩
عبارات إبداء الرأي والمعارضة ⁦(In my opinion · I believe that … · I see your point, but …)⁩
المركّب الاسميّ ⁦(noun phrase)⁩

1. Concession inside the sentence

أداة التسليم تُدخل ما تعترف به للمخالف، والجملة الرئيسيّة تحفظ حجّتك.

One way of putting forward an argument without sounding intolerant is to admit that there are arguments that differ from your own. Link words such as while, although, though, despite the fact that and in spite of the fact that are useful in doing this. Adverbs like admittedly, undoubtedly, certainly can also be used. The link word introduces the point you admit; the main clause keeps your argument. Though, although, while, despite the fact that and in spite of the fact that are followed by a clause. Despite and in spite of alone are followed by a noun phrase: « in spite of this criticism ».

James and Jenny — for or against advertising

Jenny: You see, I don't think it's right to sell people what they don't want and what they don't need. James: I don't quite agree with you. Advertising doesn't force you to buy something you don't want though it may influence your choice of a product. […] James: I grant you this. Advertising does tempt you. Like those people who buy four-wheel drive cars to look like adventurers and who find themselves driving to the local supermarket to do their weekly shopping. This being said, advertisers do not persuade you to give your money away. […] Jenny: Oh, come on, James. Let's be serious. Don't tell me that just because you have the choice of two cars, or two perfumes, or two after-shave lotions, you can't be manipulated! James: Oh, certainly we're being manipulated. I'm not disputing that. Jenny: In that case, you're agreeing with what I've been trying to say all this time, i.e., manipulation is wrong.

Expressions of concession

Expression	Followed by	Example
though · although · while	a clause	Advertising doesn't force you to buy something you don't want though it may influence your choice.
despite the fact that · in spite of the fact that	a clause	Despite the fact that advertising creates new needs, it stimulates innovation.
despite · in spite of	a noun phrase	In spite of this criticism, many companies now are designating executives.
admittedly · undoubtedly · certainly	a sentence — then still, this being said or but	Admittedly, there is too much junk food advertising on TV; still, some programmes are beneficial.

The concession admits a point; the main clause, or the next sentence, keeps your argument.

Task 1 — Find the three moments when James concedes a point. What does he admit each time — and what happens the last time?

استخرج المواضع الثلاثة التي يسلّم فيها ⁦James⁩ بحجّة، وما يحدث في المرّة الأخيرة.

« … though it may influence your choice of a product » — he admits that advertising influences us, and keeps his argument: it doesn't force us to buy.
« I grant you this. Advertising does tempt you. … This being said, advertisers do not persuade you to give your money away. » — he admits the temptation, then comes back to his argument.
« Oh, certainly we're being manipulated. I'm not disputing that. » — this time he admits the point and adds nothing.

And Jenny wins at once: « In that case, you're agreeing with what I've been trying to say all this time. » A concession without a comeback is no longer a concession — it is agreement.

Task 2 — « As far as I can tell, television offers few benefits for children. » — « Admittedly, there is too much junk food advertising on TV these days, and this makes TV viewing very undesirable; still you can't deny that some educational programmes are quite beneficial to them. » Which part concedes, and which word brings the argument back?

أيّ جزء يسلّم بالحجّة، وأيّ كلمة تعيد الحجّة المخالفة؟

The argument: television offers few benefits for children.
The concession: « Admittedly, there is too much junk food advertising on TV these days » — the speaker grants that part of the argument.
The comeback: « still you can't deny that some educational programmes are quite beneficial to them ».

2. Build your own concessions

اربط حجّة مؤيّدة للإشهار بحجّة معارضة له، بعبارة تسليم مختلفة كلّ مرّة.

Arguments: pros and cons

A. Advertisements manipulate consumers. B. Commercial advertising is essential for both business and consumers. C. Advertising creates new and unnecessary needs. D. Advertising encourages children to buy junk food. E. Advertisements can't create needs, but they can suggest new ways of satisfying them. F. Advertising stimulates innovation and competition. G. Advertising creates a need, but doesn't offer satisfaction. H. Advertising promotes goods but does not sell them. I. Advertising degrades the image of women. J. Advertising sponsors social events like sports competitions and car races.

Task 3 — Join an argument against advertising with one for it, using a different expression of concession each time: although, while, despite the fact that, in spite of, admittedly.

خمس جمل نموذجيّة : التسليم في الجملة التابعة، والحجّة في الجملة الرئيسيّة.

Although advertising creates new and unnecessary needs, it stimulates innovation and competition. (C + F)
While advertisements manipulate consumers, commercial advertising is essential for both business and consumers. (A + B)
Despite the fact that advertising encourages children to buy junk food, it sponsors social events like sports competitions and car races. (D + J)
In spite of its role in innovation, advertising creates a need but doesn't offer satisfaction. (F + G)
Admittedly, advertising sponsors social events; still, it degrades the image of women. (J + I)

Look at where each argument goes: the one you admit follows the concession word; the one you defend is the main clause.

Task 4 — With a partner, prepare a short dialogue about advertising, asking for and giving opinions, with concessions. Start like this: « A: In my opinion, advertising is more likely to harm consumers than serve them. What do you think of that? B: I believe that advertising is essential for both business and consumers. Though … »

حوار نموذجيّ : رأي، ثمّ تسليم، ثمّ عودة إلى الحجّة.

A: In my opinion, advertising is more likely to harm consumers than serve them. What do you think of that? B: I believe that advertising is essential for both business and consumers. Though it sometimes creates unnecessary needs, it stimulates innovation and competition. A: I see your point, but advertising encourages children to buy junk food. B: Admittedly, some adverts target children. Still, advertising sponsors social events like sports competitions and car races. A: Although that is true, advertising degrades the image of women. B: I grant you this. This being said, adverts can't create needs: they only suggest new ways of satisfying them.

3. An argumentative speech with concessions

خطاب حجاجيّ : عرض الآراء، ثمّ اتّخاذ موقف، مع التسليم ببعض حجج المخالف حتّى لا يبدو الخطاب متعصّبا.

Your turn. Prepare an argumentative speech stating your opinion about advertising. One of the best ways of organising it is first to inform the audience about the main points of view, then to take sides. 1. Start with this topic sentence: « People don't agree as to whether advertising is beneficial or harmful. » 2. State people's points of view: « Some people are in favour of … They think, believe, claim or assert that … » — « However, … They think that … » 3. Take sides: « I am one of those who believe that … » Support your argument with reasons and link words: for one thing, for another thing, first, second, finally, as a result … 4. As you develop your arguments, make concessions in order not to sound too intolerant. 5. Review your draft, then read it aloud to your classmates — it could be the start of a class debate.

دورك : حضّر خطابا حجاجيّا عن الإشهار وفق الخطوات الخمس، وسلّم فيه بحجّة أو حجّتين.

A model speech

خطاب نموذجيّ : عبارات التسليم بالخطّ الغليظ.

People don't agree as to whether advertising is beneficial or harmful. Some people are in favour of advertising. They believe that it is essential for both business and consumers, and that it stimulates innovation and competition. However, other people are against it. They claim that advertisements manipulate consumers and create new and unnecessary needs. I am one of those who believe that advertising does more good than harm. For one thing, it sponsors social events like sports competitions and car races. For another thing, it informs consumers about new products. Admittedly, some adverts encourage children to buy junk food, and although advertising creates needs, it does not always offer satisfaction. Still, advertising promotes goods but does not sell them: the consumer decides. As a result, I think that we should not ban advertising — we should control it.

In the exam, concession is tested in the text exploration — you join two sentences with though, although or despite, or you rewrite « Although X, Y » with despite or in spite of — and it serves the argumentative written expression. Have three things ready: ① though, although, while, despite the fact that, in spite of the fact that + a clause; ② despite, in spite of + a noun phrase — never ✗ « despite of »; ③ the main clause keeps your argument. The frequent mistake: two link words for one idea — ✗ « Although advertising is useful, but it manipulates us » → ✓ « Although advertising is useful, it manipulates us ».

What I keep — To concede a point inside my sentence, I use though, although, while, despite the fact that or in spite of the fact that + a clause, or despite and in spite of + a noun phrase; the main clause keeps my argument. I can also open with admittedly, undoubtedly or certainly, then come back with still, this being said or but. A concession with no comeback is agreement — James learnt it the hard way.

الصفحة 1/3