French Concessive Clauses – Les Propositions Concessives
A concessive clause expresses an opposition, a restriction, or a concession, something that happens despite another fact. In English, we often use words like although, even though, even if, no matter what, whether or not, however, though, etc.
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In French, concessive clauses are usually introduced by conjunctions such as bien que, quoique, même si, encore que, quand bien même, quoi que, qui que, quel que, que… ou non, malgré que, si… que, tout… que, and others.
1. Bien que / Quoique = Although, even though
These are followed by the subjunctive.
- Bien qu’il soit malade, il va travailler.
Although he is sick, he goes to work. - Quoique ce soit difficile, je vais essayer.
Although it is difficult, I will try. - Bien que tu aies raison, je ne peux pas t’aider.
Even though you are right, I cannot help you.
Note: Bien que and quoique are interchangeable in most cases, though quoique is slightly more formal or literary.
2. Même si = Even if, even though
This is followed by the indicative, not the subjunctive.
It introduces a real or hypothetical situation that contrasts with the main clause.
- Même si tu m’invites, je ne viendrai pas.
Even if you invite me, I won’t come. - Même s’il pleut, ils sortiront.
Even if it rains, they will go out. - Même si elle a tort, il la soutient.
Even though she is wrong, he supports her.
3. Encore que / Quoique = Even though, though
Encore que is less common and always followed by the subjunctive.
- Il a accepté, encore que cela lui déplaise.
He accepted, even though it displeases him. - C’est possible, encore que ce soit peu probable.
It’s possible, though not very likely.
4. Quand bien même = Even if (very formal, literary)
This expression is always followed by the conditional.
- Quand bien même tu m’expliquerais, je ne comprendrais pas.
Even if you explained it to me, I wouldn’t understand. - Quand bien même il ferait beau, je resterais chez moi.
Even if the weather were nice, I would stay home.
5. Quoi que = Whatever, no matter what
Quoi que (written as two words) must be followed by the subjunctive. It means whatever in the sense of no matter what.
- Quoi que tu fasses, tu ne réussiras pas sans effort.
Whatever you do, you won’t succeed without effort. - Quoi qu’il dise, je ne le crois pas.
No matter what he says, I don’t believe him. - Quoi que nous décidions, il y aura des conséquences.
Whatever we decide, there will be consequences.
Note: Do not confuse quoi que (two words) with quoique (one word = although).
6. Qui que = Whoever, no matter who
Followed by the subjunctive.
- Qui que tu sois, tu es le bienvenu.
Whoever you are, you are welcome. - Qui qu’il soit, il mérite du respect.
Whoever he is, he deserves respect. - Qui que nous rencontrions, nous devons rester polis.
Whoever we meet, we must remain polite.
7. Quel que / Quelle que / Quels que / Quelles que = Whatever, no matter which
These agree in gender and number with the following noun and are followed by the subjunctive.
- Quel que soit ton choix, je le respecterai.
Whatever your choice, I will respect it. - Quelle que soit la décision, il faudra l’accepter.
Whatever the decision, it must be accepted. - Quels que soient les résultats, elle restera optimiste.
Whatever the results, she will stay optimistic.
8. Que… ou non / Que… ou pas = Whether… or not
Used to express that something happens regardless of another factor. Followed by the subjunctive.
- Que tu le veuilles ou non, c’est la vérité.
Whether you like it or not, it’s the truth. - Que vous veniez ou non, la fête aura lieu.
Whether you come or not, the party will take place. - Que cela te plaise ou pas, il faut le faire.
Whether you like it or not, it must be done.
9. Malgré que = Although, despite the fact that
This expression is controversial. Many grammarians recommend avoiding it and using bien que instead.
It is followed by the subjunctive, but it sounds old-fashioned or regional in France.
- Malgré qu’il soit tard, ils continuent à parler.
Although it’s late, they keep talking.
(Prefer: Bien qu’il soit tard)
10. Si… que / Tout… que = However…, as… as
These structures express concession with an adjective or adverb. Followed by the subjunctive.
- Si intelligent qu’il soit, il peut se tromper.
However intelligent he may be, he can be wrong. - Tout fatiguée qu’elle soit, elle continue à travailler.
Tired as she is, she keeps working. - Si gentils qu’ils paraissent, ils peuvent être dangereux.
However kind they seem, they can be dangerous.
11. Sans que = Without (doing something)
Also followed by the subjunctive. It expresses that something happens despite the absence of another action.
- Il est parti sans que je le voie.
He left without my seeing him. - Elle a réussi sans que personne ne l’aide.
She succeeded without anyone helping her. - Ils sont venus sans que nous soyons prévenus.
They came without our being informed.
| Conjunction | English Equivalent | Verb Mood | Example |
| Bien que / Quoique | Although, even though | Subjunctive | Bien qu’il soit tard |
| Même si | Even if, even though | Indicative | Même si tu viens |
| Encore que | Even though | Subjunctive | Encore que ce soit difficile |
| Quand bien même | Even if (formal) | Conditional | Quand bien même il viendrait |
| Quoi que | Whatever, no matter what | Subjunctive | Quoi que tu fasses |
| Qui que | Whoever | Subjunctive | Qui que tu sois |
| Quel que / Quelle que… | Whatever, no matter which | Subjunctive | Quel que soit ton choix |
| Que… ou non / pas | Whether… or not | Subjunctive | Que tu le veuilles ou non |
| Malgré que | Although (rare) | Subjunctive | Malgré qu’il soit tard |
| Si… que / Tout… que | However…, as… as | Subjunctive | Si grand qu’il soit |
| Sans que | Without (doing) | Subjunctive | Sans que je le sache |
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