français · B2 · grammar · 4 minutes
Concession and opposition
Acknowledge one fact while showing that it does not prevent a contrasting result.
Understand the choice
Concession differs from simple contrast because the first fact could have been expected to block the second. Connector grammar matters: même si treats the clause as an indicative fact, bien que frames it through subjunctive, and malgré needs no conjugated verb.
Core rule: Même si takes the indicative; bien que and quoique take the subjunctive; malgré and en dépit de take a noun phrase.
Notice it in context
Même si la méthode est imparfaite, elle reste utile.
Even though the method is imperfect, it remains useful.
Même si introduces indicative est; reste states the result that survives the limitation.
Bien que les coûts aient augmenté, le projet continue.
Although costs have risen, the project continues.
Bien que triggers the past subjunctive aient augmenté.
Malgré plusieurs objections, la proposition a été adoptée.
Despite several objections, the proposal was adopted.
Malgré introduces the noun phrase plusieurs objections.
What to remember
- Pourtant and cependant connect independent statements rather than subordinating a clause.
- En dépit de is more formal than malgré but follows the same noun-phrase structure.
Common trap: Do not use subjunctive after même si: même s’il est tard, not même s’il soit tard.