B2–C1 · GFN · 20 patterns

Concession, cause and circumstance

Compare how English and German express concession, cause and circumstance. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

01 · How to use this set

Start from the communication job

Compare how English and German express concession, cause and circumstance. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Read the frame, try to complete your own sentence before opening an example, then compare the English structure with its German parallel. The point is retrieval and choice, not passive list reading.

02 · Representative patterns

Start with these reusable frames

A compact sample from the 20 patterns in this study set.

01Despite the fact that + finite clause, main clauseDespite the fact that the room was small, everyone found a seat. · German parallel: Obwohl + subordinate clause, main clause 02Despite having + past participle phrase, shared subject + main predicateDespite having checked twice, I still missed the error. · German parallel: Obwohl + earlier same-subject clause, main clause 03Although + adjective phrase, shared subject + main predicateAlthough tired, she stayed to help us finish. · German parallel: Obwohl + explicit-subject finite clause, main clause 04Clause about A, whereas + parallel clause about BThe first option saves time, whereas the second reduces cost. · German parallel: Clause about A, während + contrasting subordinate clause about B 05However + adjective/adverb + subject + verb, main clauseHowever carefully you plan, something unexpected can happen. · German parallel: Wie + adjective/adverb + subject + auch + verb, main clause 06Whatever + noun + subject + verb, main clauseWhatever route you choose, allow extra time. · German parallel: Welchen/Welche + noun + subject + auch + verb, main clause

03 · Complete set

Browse every pattern

The canonical list follows below. Every pattern has a stable ID and its own page for examples, translation, and reuse.

01Despite the fact that + finite clause, main clauseGFN001 · Despite the fact that + finite clause, main clause / Obwohl + subordinate clause, main clause 02Despite having + past participle phrase, shared subject + main predicateGFN002 · Despite having + past participle phrase, shared subject + main predicate / Obwohl + earlier same-subject clause, main clause 03Although + adjective phrase, shared subject + main predicateGFN003 · Although + adjective phrase, shared subject + main predicate / Obwohl + explicit-subject finite clause, main clause 04Clause about A, whereas + parallel clause about BGFN004 · Clause about A, whereas + parallel clause about B / Clause about A, während + contrasting subordinate clause about B 05However + adjective/adverb + subject + verb, main clauseGFN005 · However + adjective/adverb + subject + verb, main clause / Wie + adjective/adverb + subject + auch + verb, main clause 06Whatever + noun + subject + verb, main clauseGFN006 · Whatever + noun + subject + verb, main clause / Welchen/Welche + noun + subject + auch + verb, main clause 07Much as + subject + stance verb, contrasting main clauseGFN007 · Much as + subject + stance verb, contrasting main clause / So sehr + subject + stance predicate + auch, main clause 08Adjective + though + subject + be, contrasting main clauseGFN008 · Adjective + though + subject + be, contrasting main clause / So + adjective + subordinate clause + auch, main clause 09Main claim + in that + finite clause specifying the respectGFN009 · Main claim + in that + finite clause specifying the respect / Main claim + darin/dadurch, dass + specifying clause 10Main action + not because + rejected reason, but because + actual reasonGFN010 · Main action + not because + rejected reason, but because + actual reason / Main action + nicht weil + rejected reason, sondern weil + actual reason 11Now that + newly true clause, resulting main clauseGFN011 · Now that + newly true clause, resulting main clause / Jetzt, da + newly true subordinate clause, main clause 12Given that + premise clause, main judgement or recommendationGFN012 · Given that + premise clause, main judgement or recommendation / Da + relevant premise clause, main judgement 13Subject + past action + so that + different subject + could + infinitiveGFN013 · Subject + past action + so that + different subject + could + infinitive / Past action, damit + different subject + infinitive + konnte(n)14Precautionary action + in case + subject + present predicateGFN014 · Precautionary action + in case + subject + present predicate / Precautionary action, falls + possible future clause 15Subject + past precaution + in case + subject + past-form predicateGFN015 · Subject + past precaution + in case + subject + past-form predicate / Past precaution, falls + possible later past-viewpoint clause 16Subject + past appearance verb + as if + subject + had + participleGFN016 · Subject + past appearance verb + as if + subject + had + participle / Subject + wirkte/sah aus/klang, als + past Konjunktiv II clause 17Subject + present predicate + as if + subject + were + complementGFN017 · Subject + present predicate + as if + subject + were + complement / Present predicate, als + subject + complement + wäre / als wäre + subject 18Main judgement + insofar as + clause defining its extentGFN018 · Main judgement + insofar as + clause defining its extent / Main judgement + insofern, als + limiting clause 19Main clause, except that + complete exception clauseGFN019 · Main clause, except that + complete exception clause / Main clause, nur dass + exception clause 20Rather than + -ing phrase, shared subject + chosen actionGFN020 · Rather than + -ing phrase, shared subject + chosen action / Statt + zu-infinitive, shared subject + chosen action