Preposition of Contrast and Concession

Preposition of Contrast and Concession: Well we have seen how a preposition is a word that indicates a relation among the different elements in a sentence. It can basically show a connection between the noun or adjective or verb. Prepositions are of different kinds depending upon the purpose they serve. They may be indicating a time, place, manner, or cause, etc.

The words that are used as Prepositions (of, under, for, with, between, etc.) can be used in various purposes, meaning: a preposition can be used as a preposition of time or a preposition of place or manner and so on. But it’s the usage that makes the difference. It’s the functionality that the preposition serves. In this chapter the kind of Preposition we are going to study is Preposition of Contrast and Concession.

Preposition of Contrast and Concession:

Forget about Prepositions for a second and focus on the word contrast. What does Contrast mean? Contrast is basically something strikingly different than something. It could be animate or inanimate. Colour black and white contrast each other. Qualities of good and bad contrast each other. We will see more of it in detail as we go further.

Concession are words like “though” or “although” that are used to show a different idea than suggested by the main part. For example:

. Although my best friend is very tall and atheltic, she didn’t make it in the basketball team.

. Though she is an animal lover, she eats non-veg food.

. Although my sister is very studious, she is not popular among teachers

You see how ideas mentioned in the above sentences are quiet contrasting. In the first example, a tall and athletic person should make it to the basketball team, she didn’t. In the second one, you’d expect the person who loves animals to not eat them. In the third sentence, a studious one should be popular among teachers but she isn’t. In the above sentence, he irony of the sentence is shown by the preposition of contrast and concession, though and although.

Preposition of Contrast and Concession:

1-Though and Although

These words are commonly used alternatively. You must have seen above how these words are used to show contrasting ideas.

. Although my sister exercises daily, she has serious health problems.

. Though my sister exercises daily, she has serious health problems.

. Huge though it is, an elephant is a very peaceful animal.

. Small although an ant is, it is very hard working and persistent.

2-As and Though

Used after an adjective or adverb, the preposition as can be used in the place of though. Let’s see how that works:

. Studious though he is, he is not a popular student among the teachers.

. Studious as he is, he is not a popular student among the teachers.

. Punctual though he is, he missed today’s train for his office.

. Punctual as he is, he missed today’s train to his office.

3- In spite of and despite

These prepositions of contrast and concession can be alternatively used.

. In spite of being so huge, an elephant is a very calm animal.

. Despite being so huge, an elephant is a very calm animal.

. In spite of attracting an income tax raid last year, the minister kept his scams going.

. Despite being so rich, they are not very kind to people.

4- Nonetheless, nevertheless and however

Well, these are not exactly words that connect clauses. They usually mark discourses between sentences. Let’s see that with an example:

. This cat is quick at its feet; however, it can’t catch a mouse.

. This cat is quick at its feet; nonetheless, it can’t catch a mouse.

. I am usually not interested to attend weddings; nevertheless, I will be at my best friend’s wedding.

. I am usually not interested to attend weddings; however, I will be at my best friend’s wedding.

. I love to sleep all day long; nonetheless, I also like to play football.

5-All the same and At the same time

Just like the above category of Preposition of contrast and concession, these prepositions do not connect two clauses. They are used after a semicolon to show the contrast of ideas in the two clauses. Let’s see an example:

. Elephants are huge; all the same, they are very calm creatures.

. Elephants are huge; at the same time, they are very calm creatures.

. Lions are the strongest; all the same, they keep the hunting for their lionesses.

. Lions are the strongest; at the same time, they keep the hunting for their lionesses.