English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate » Unit 64: Concession and contrast

Word List
  • acknowledge
  • admit
  • admittedly
  • after all
  • although
  • concede
  • discrepancy
  • divide
  • in contrast
  • nevertheless
  • on the other hand
  • poles apart
  • yawning (gap)
  • accept
Exercises

64.1 ‣ Rewrite these sentences using the most likely verb from A opposite (there is usually more than one possibility).

  1. I accept that you weren't solely to blame but you must take some responsibility.
  2. OK, OK, I was wrong, you were right; he is a nice guy.
    _____
  3. The company is prepared to accept that you have suffered some delay, but we do not accept liability.
    _____
  4. She didn't deny that we had done all we could, but she was still not content.
    _____

64.2 ‣ Complete the sentences with phrases from B opposite.

  1. OK, you've cleaned the kitchen, , but what about the dining room?
  2. No need to panic _____, it doesn't start till six.
  3. She's bossy and sly, but _____, she is a friend.
  4. _____ saying you'll pay me back soon; when is what I want to know!
  5. I know you've been very busy preparing for the school concert _____, but you still mustn't neglect your homework.

64.3 ‣ Use the word in brackets in an appropriate collocation to make comments on these statements.

  1. Some people believe in nuclear weapons, some in world disarmament. (divide)
  2. She says one thing. She does quite the opposite. (discrepancy)
    _____
  3. Toby believes in saving as much as possible. Catalina prefers to spend all the money they earn. (poles)
    _____
  4. Being a student's one thing; being a teacher's quite another. (world)
    _____
  5. People in the north of the country have a totally different standard of living from those in the south. (gap)
    _____

64.4 ‣ Write a beginning for these sentences.


  1. The reverse was true; she was short, with fair hair.
  2. _____
    On the other hand, it does have a big garden, so I think we should rent it.
  3. _____
    On the contrary, the number of cars on the road is increasing yearly.
  4. _____
    In contrast, in Britain you drive on the left.
  5. _____
    Quite the opposite; I feel quite full. I had a huge breakfast.

64.5 ‣ Choose between on the other hand and on the contrary and explain what the speaker means.

  1. I'm not worried; , I feel quite calm.
  2. It's expensive, but _____, we do need it.
  3. In some ways I'd like to change my job, but _____, I'd miss all my colleagues.
  4. I don't think he's lazy; _____, he puts in a great deal of effort.
  5. She doesn't speak Japanese well; _____, she only knows a couple of phrases.
  6. This hotel looks very attractive; _____, it's more expensive than the first one we looked at.
Answer Key
A ‣ Verbs of concession

Concession means accepting one part of an idea or fact, but putting another, more important argument or fact against it.

It can be expressed with a conjunction, e.g. Although they were poor, they were independent, or an adverb, e.g. He is a bit stupid. He's very kind, nevertheless, or through verbs like those in the table below.

exampleparaphrase and comments
I acknowledge/accept that he has worked hard but it isn't enough.I agree but ... (accept is less formal than acknowledge)
I admit I was wrong, but I still think we were right to doubt her.I accept I'm guilty of what I'm accused of.
I concede that you are right about the goal, but not the method.You have won this point in our argument. (rather formal, used in debates/arguments)

B ‣ Adverbs and other phrases showing contrast

These examples are fairly informal:
OK, you're sorry. That's all well and good / That's all very well, but how are you going to pay us back?
You shouldn't seem so surprised. After all, I did warn you.
It's all very well saying you love dogs, but who will take it for walks if we do get one?
He is boring, and he is rather cold and unfriendly, but, for all that, he is your uncle and we should invite him.

These examples are more formal:
Admittedly, she put a lot of effort in, but it was all wasted. I thought she didn't like me. In fact, the reverse was true.
In Europe they use metric measurements. In contrast, the USA still uses many non-metric measurements.
It's not actually raining now. On the other hand, it may rain later, so take the umbrella.


  1. We're not almost there at all. Quite the opposite; we've got five miles to go yet.

C ‣ Collocating phrases for contrast

When it comes to politics, Jamie and Isabel are poles apart.

There's a world of difference between being a friend and a lover.

There's a great divide between city residents and people who live in the country.

A yawning gap divides the rich and poor in many countries.

There's a huge discrepancy between his ideals and his actions.

Language help

On the other hand means ‘that is true and this is also true if we look at it from a different viewpoint’, e.g.
Life in the country is nice and quiet. On the other hand, you have to go a long way to get to the shops.

On the contrary is a rather formal expression which means ‘that is not true; the opposite is true’, e.g.
A: You must be pleased with your exam results.
B: On the contrary, I thought they would be much better.

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