• 9. The subjunctive mood in adverbial clauses of concession/concessive clauses.

The subjunctive mood is used in adverbial clauses of concession introduced by the conjunctions:

though (хотя, несмотря на; though is often less formal than although);

although (хотя, если бы даже; несмотря на то, что);

even though (not: even although; даже если, хотя; even though - is a more emphatic form of although; even though = ‘despite the fact that’);

even if (даже если, хотя; even if = ‘whether or not’);

as (как … ни, хотя);

and connectives: however (как бы ни) (it is not because of how something is being done);

no matter how (как бы ни; независимо от того, как) (no matter who, no matter what,

no matter when, no matter where - где бы то ни было = it is not important what happens, who does it, etc.);

whatever (что бы ни; все что);

whoever (кто бы ни) (it is not important what, who);

whichever (какой бы ни; какой угодно).

(Note: connective = соединительное/союзное слово; connective pronoun = соединительное/союзное местоимение, connective adverb = соединительное/союзное наречие.)

We use: the form may/might + Infinitive (i.e. the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary may/might for all persons) if the predicate of the principal clause is in the present or future tense. When the predicate of the principal clause is in the past tense only might is used. (may/might - formal style)

• Although/Though he may/might be tired, he will go to the concert.

• Tired though he may/might be, he will go to the concert. (not: Tired although he may be...)

• No matter how tired he may/might be, he will go to the concert.

• However tired he may/might be, he will go to the concert. (‘However’ = ‘No matter how’) Как бы он ни был утомлен, он пойдет на концерт.

• No matter how he might try, he couldn’t do it. Как бы он ни старался, он не смог сделать это.

• Whatever you may/might say, I don’t believe you. (= No matter what you may/might say, I don’t believe you.) Что бы вы ни говорили, я вам не верю.

• Whoever he may be, he has no rights to be rude.

Note 1: When a concessive clause is joined asyndetically, there is usually inversion.

• Come what may, we shall remain here. Будь, что будет, мы остаемся здесь.

• Cost what it may, I’ll give you the sum you ask. Чего бы это ни стоило, я отдам вам сумму, которую вы просите.

Note 2: If the action of the subordinate clause is prior to that of the principal clause the perfect infinitive is generally used.

• However badly he may have behaved in the past, he is still your brother. Как бы плохо он ни вел себя по отношению к вам в прошлом, он все же ваш брат.

Note 3: The Indicative mood is used in adverbial clauses of concession when the action or state is considered as an actual fact and not as something supposed. (however, no matter, whatever, whoever + Present Simple)

• Whatever he says, they won't believe him. Что бы он ни говорил, они не поверят ему.

• Though they know the war is lost, they continue to fight. Хотя они знают, что война проиграна, они продолжают боевые действия.

• However brilliant you are/may be, you can’t know everything.

• However hard he tries, he will not make her fall in love with him.

• No matter what she says, they won’t believe her.

• Whatever she will say, they won’t believe her. Whatever she says, they won’t believe her.

• Although/Though/Even though I felt sorry for him, I was secretly pleased that he was having difficulties.

• Though it is cold, we will go out. Cold as it is, we will go out. No matter how cold it is, we will go out. However cold it is, we will go out.

• Even though Tom doesn’t speak Spanish, I think he should still visit Madrid. (= Despite the fact that Tom doesn’t speak Spanish, I think he should still visit Madrid. - i.e. the speaker knows that Tom doesn’t speak Spanish.)

• Even if Tom doesn’t speak Spanish, I think he should still visit Madrid. (= Whether or not Tom speaks Spanish, I think he should still visit Madrid. - i.e. the speaker doesn’t know definitely whether Tom speaks Spanish or not.)

• Even though/Even if I'm supposed to be working by myself, there are other people who I can interact with. Даже хотя/даже если я и должен работать самостоятельно, есть люди, с которыми я могу посоветоваться.

Note 4: As and though to mean ‘regardless of the degree to which’ can be used after some adjectives, adverbs and verbs to introduce clauses of concession in formal style.

• Strange as it may seem, the bus is actually faster than the train. (=Although/Though it may seem strange, the bus is actually faster than the train.)

• Strange as it may seem, Harry has never been to London. (Как странно это ни покажется, Гарри никогда не был в Лондоне.)

• Try as he might, he couldn’t solve the problem. (= Though he tried, he couldn’t solve the problem.)

• Beautiful though/as the necklace was, we thought it was over-priced so we didn’t buy it. (= Although/Though the necklace was beautiful, we thought it was over-priced so we didn’t buy it.)

• Expensive though/as the ticket may seem, it is good value for money. (= Although/though the ticket may seem expensive, it is good value for money. Хотя билет дорогой, он стоит свою цену/стоит уплаченных за него денег.

• Difficult though/as it may seem/be, it is not impossible. (Although/though it may seem difficult/may be difficult, it is not impossible.)

• Try as I may/might, I just can’t understand how this computer works. (= Though I may/might try, I just can’t understand how this computer works.)

• Tired as he was, he continued his work. Как он ни устал, он продолжал свой путь. Хотя он устал, он продолжал свой путь. (= Although/Though he was tired, he continued his work.)

Note 5: ‘Much as’ is used in a similar way before a clause, particularly to talk about how we feel about someone or something.

• Much as I enjoyed the holiday, I was glad to be home. (=Although I enjoyed the holiday much, I was glad to be home.)