Mada za sehemu hiiUse appropriate grammar and vocabulary both orally and in writingMada 5
- Express nationalities using appropriate adjectives (e.g. Tanzanian, Japanese, Norwegian)
- Use relative pronouns in appropriate contexts (e.g., who, whose, whom)
- Express future actions (structure: will, shall, going to)
- Use conjunctions in oral and written contexts (target: yet, despite, in spite of, so... that)
- Express concession (target: although, though)
A concession is a grammatical structure that shows a contrast between two ideas. It connects two sentences or clauses where one idea seems to contradict the other. In English, we often use although and though to express this contrast.
When we use although or though, we acknowledge one fact while introducing a surprising or opposite fact. The key is that both parts of the sentence are true, but they present different ideas.
Although is followed by a subject and a verb. It introduces the contrasting idea.
Structure:
Although + subject + verb, + main clause
Examples:
- Although it was raining, we went to school.
- Although she was sick, she attended the class.
- Although the book was expensive, James bought it.
Notice that the clause with "although" comes first in these examples. We can also reverse the order:
- We went to school although it was raining.
- James bought the book although it was expensive.
Though works in the same way as "although." Both words mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably in most cases.
Structure:
Though + subject + verb, + main clause
Examples:
- Though the bus was full, we managed to get on.
- Though Amina studied hard, she did not pass the exam.
- Although and though can be used in the same sentence without changing the meaning.
- Although and though mean the same thing.
- The clause with although/though comes first or second — both are correct.
- Do not use a comma after although/though when the contrasting clause comes second.
- Both words are followed by a subject and a verb (not by a complete sentence on their own).
Let's look at a sentence and understand how to express concession correctly.
Situation: Grace wanted to play outside, but it was very hot.
Correct expression:
- Although it was very hot, Grace played outside.
- Grace played outside although it was very hot.
Both sentences are correct. The contrast is clear: it was hot, yet Grace still played outside.
- Do not say "Although but..." — this is wrong. Use either "although" or "but," not both.
- Wrong: Although but it was raining, we went out.
- Correct: Although it was raining, we went out. OR It was raining, but we went out.
Try to express concession using the given situations:
-
The food was delicious. I was not hungry.
- Although the food was delicious, I was not hungry.
-
Tanzania has many tourists. Some areas remain unknown.
- Though Tanzania has many tourists, some areas remain unknown.
-
My phone is old. It still works well.
- Although my phone is old, it still works well.
- Use although or though to connect two contrasting ideas.
- Both words mean the same thing and can replace each other.
- The contrasting idea comes in the clause with although/though.
- Both clauses must be true, even though they seem to oppose each other.
In everyday life in Tanzania, you will often need to explain why something happened despite a difficulty. For example, when telling your mwalimu why you did not finish your homework, you might say: "Although the electricity went off early, I tried to finish my homework." This shows you understand the situation and can explain a contrasting result clearly.
Swali
Which sentence correctly uses although to show concession?
Ingia ili kuwasilisha jibu lako na lihesabiwe katika umahiri wako.
Ingia ili kufanya mazoeziMwalimu
Umekwama? Niulize chochote kuhusu mada hii.
Ingia ili kumuuliza Mwalimu wa AI wa Sonza kuhusu swali hili.
Ingia ili kuuliza