B2 · Connectors · 11 minResult and concession — mark relationships precisely.
This B2 lesson shows you formal result connectors, reliable despite patterns, and graded concession — free to try, with no signup.
- CEFR levelB2 · Upper intermediate
- Time to completeAbout 11 minutes
- Core ideaRelationship plus complement
- RegisterReports and negotiations
01 / 08
What is the difference between despite and in spite of?
Despite and in spite of both express concession, but their fixed forms differ. Despite directly takes a noun or gerund: "despite the supplier delays" or "despite arriving late." In spite of takes the same kinds of complement, but of belongs to the expression: "in spite of the tight deadline" or "in spite of arriving late." Both show that an obstacle did not prevent the outcome. In formal reports, despite is often especially compact; in spite of is longer but carries the same central relationship. Compare the minimal pair "Despite the delays, we delivered" and "In spite of the delays, we delivered." Both are correct as long as you keep each pattern intact. Rule: despite has no of, while in spite of always retains of as part of its fixed form.
02 / 08
What follows despite and in spite of?
Despite and in spite of normally take a noun phrase or gerund rather than a finite clause directly. You can write "despite the budget cuts," "despite being late," "in spite of the tight deadline," or "in spite of arriving after noon." When you need a full that-clause, use despite the fact that: "Despite the fact that costs rose, we stayed within budget." The word fact builds the bridge between the preposition and the full clause. Compare "Although costs rose, we stayed within budget": although takes the clause directly. This choice is useful in reports because it lets you frame the same concession as either a compact noun phrase or a complete statement. Check especially whether a subject plus finite verb follows the connector. Rule: use despite or in spite of before a noun or gerund, and although or despite the fact that before a full clause.
03 / 08
What is the difference between even though and although?
Even though and although both introduce a full concessive clause, but even though gives the surprising contrast more emphasis. "Although the budget was tight, we delivered on time" presents the obstacle and outcome matter-of-factly. "Even though the budget was tight, we delivered on time" highlights more strongly that the result ran against expectation. Both forms take a subject and finite verb, so the budget was tight or costs rose can follow directly. The stronger form is not automatically better. Although may be sufficient in a restrained report, while even though can make an unexpected achievement more visible in a follow-up. Keep the message proportionate and choose by the emphasis you need. The minimal pair changes the strength of concession, not the facts. Rule: although marks a more neutral contrast, while even though makes the same full concessive relationship stronger and more surprising.
04 / 08
How do therefore, thus, and as a result express a result?
Therefore, thus, and as a result point back to an already stated cause and introduce its outcome. A report can say, "Costs rose; therefore, we renegotiated." The second statement is the result of the first. Thus can express the same relationship particularly compactly and formally: "The supplier missed two milestones; thus, we revised the rollout plan." As a result makes the result function especially explicit and also suits report writing. These connectors are not simple replacements for because because they move forward from a cause to its consequence. Two full sentences are often separated by a period or semicolon; the exact punctuation depends on the sentence structure. In negotiation, these forms make the move from an observed development to a decision transparent. Rule: therefore, thus, and as a result point forward to the outcome of a previously stated cause.
05 / 08
What is the difference between so that and therefore?
So that and therefore differ in structure and direction: so that introduces a full purpose or result clause, while therefore points back to a previously stated cause. Compare "We shortened the review cycle so that the revised plan could start on Monday" with "The review cycle was too long; therefore, we shortened it." In the first sentence, so that names the intended purpose of shortening the cycle. In the second, therefore links an observed cause to the following decision. Both can support a result relationship, but they do not perform the same grammatical job. A subject and verb follow so that; therefore can open a new complete sentence and is commonly set off by punctuation. In business writing, choose according to whether you need to emphasise purpose or conclusion. Rule: so that builds in the purpose or result clause, while therefore introduces a conclusion from a previous statement.
06 / 08
What is the difference between whereas and while for contrast?
Whereas and while can place two complete statements side by side, with whereas marking the contrast especially clearly. "Costs rose, whereas margins fell" compares two business figures and shows their different movement. While can express the same contrast: "Costs rose, while margins fell." Because while can also express simultaneous time, the context determines whether the reading is temporal or contrastive. At B2, build the content of both clauses so that the comparison remains clear. These forms are not stronger versions of even though: they present two sides alongside each other rather than linking an obstacle with an unexpected result. In reports, whereas works well for figures, teams, or options that developed differently. Rule: whereas and contrastive while compare two sides, while even though sets an obstacle against a surprising outcome.
07 / 08
Which errors come from German trotz?
German trotz creates two opposite errors because one German preposition is mapped onto two English patterns. Trotz der Kürzungen can become the incorrect "despite of the budget cuts," although despite takes no of. In the other direction, learners produce "in spite the tight deadline," although the fixed expression is in spite of. A third transfer error comes from trotz, dass: "Despite that the costs rose" is not correct in this pattern. The natural choices are "Despite the fact that the costs rose" or "Although the costs rose." Do not memorise only the German translation; store each English form together with its complement. Say each unit as one chunk: despite + noun, in spite of + noun, and despite the fact that + clause. Rule: do not translate trotz word for word; choose one complete English pattern.
08 / 08
How do you use result and concession in reports and negotiations?
In reports and negotiations, use result and concession connectors to make decisions traceable and limitations visible. "Costs rose; therefore, we renegotiated" moves clearly from development to action. "Even though the budget was tight, we delivered on time, despite the supplier delays" presents two obstacles that did not prevent the result. A comparison such as "Costs rose, whereas margins fell" keeps two figures distinct without automatically claiming causation. That precision matters more than using the most formal-looking vocabulary. Thus can fit a compact report, while as a result names the relationship very explicitly. Even though suits a surprising contrast that deserves emphasis; although is usually more restrained. Vary the sentence patterns in longer texts so that cause, outcome, and concession do not blur together. Rule: a strong business report assigns each connector one clear relationship — result, obstacle, or direct comparison.