The adverbial modifier of concession

An adverbial modifier of concession is preceded by the prepositions despite, in spite of.

I’m glad it’s all turned out well despite your going behind my back. Я рад, что все обошлось, несмотря на то, что ты действовал за моей спиной.

In spite of knowing nothing about business, he wanted to supervise everything. Хоть он и ничего не знал о том, как вести дело/ он хотел всем руководить.

Exercise 122. Point out the gerund, the gerundial phrase or the gerundial construction used as adverbial modifier of concession. Note the prepositions preceding the adverbial modifier of concession. Translate the sentences.

MODEL: She managed to do it despite your disturbing her. Ей удалось сделать это, несмотря на то, что ты ей мешал (хотя ты ей мешал).

1. They have been married for twenty years despite everyone thinking that they were conflicting personalities. 2. In spite of our children being close friends we have never gone for a holiday together. 3. Despite him learning all the rules his teacher didn’t give him a pass. 4. Despite their parents disapproving of the idea they made up their mind to spend their honeymoon in Florida. 5. Sid never took offence in spite of being constantly laughed at. 6. Despite her child being frightened she tried to pull herself together and calm him down. 7. It took Lisa a couple of hours to make a very good meal for the family despite her mother giving her a hand. 8. He got out of the difficulty in spite of not getting any help. 9. Rob took his wife to the clinic despite her refusing to go there. 10. In spite of her trying to impress her boss with diligence he decided not to promote her. 11. The University public didn’t like the new film despite its being a hit. 12. The boy had no appetite in spite of having had no meal since morning. 13. Jill didn’t get the job in spite of having all the necessary qualifications. 14. She went to work in spite of being unwell. 15. He still loves her in spite of her having betrayed him. 16. Despite being blinded in his right eye in a battle off Corsica, H. Nelson was soon made an admiral.

Exercise 123. Paraphrase the sentences. Use an adverbial modifier of concession.

MODEL: Though he hasn’t seen her for a long time he doesn’t miss her. – He doesn’t miss her despite not having seen her for a long time.

1. Though the weather was nasty we decided not to stay indoors. 2. Though she spends so much time on going to work she is never late. 3. Although he put on a warm coat he caught cold. 4. Though he spoke with a strong Russian accent his English was good enough. 5. We agreed to invite the man although he was a total stranger to us. 6. Though Bill had improved his tennis he wasn’t able to win the competition. 7. She didn’t get tired although she was cleaning the flat all morning. 8. Though his wife objected he sold the house to the local council. 9. He wasn’t going to buy the painting although he collected antiques. 10. Though London suffers from air pollution we refused to live in the suburbs. 11. Although the traffic was bad he arrived on time. 12. Though they lived in the same block of flats they rarely saw each other.

Exercise 124. A. Richard is a strong-willed person. Say what he managed to do despite, in spite of different situations. Use a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction as adverbial modifier of concession. You may change the position of the adverbial modifier.

Richard managed to ...

despite in spite of

being very tired after work. his wife having left him. his child being seriously ill. his friend having betrayed him. his counterpart having let him down. his car having been stolen. his firm having gone bankrupt. his dog having died. his parrot having flown away.