Contrast and concession
Develop connected discourse through a focused practice itinerary.
Contrast and concession
Use ma, però, invece, and mentre to contrast facts or alternatives. Use anche se with the indicative for a real concession. Sebbene and nonostante introduce the subjunctive in careful standard Italian. Tuttavia and eppure link the new sentence to an unexpected contrast.
- Il piano è ambizioso, ma è realistico.· The plan is ambitious, but it is realistic.
- Il centro è ben servito; la periferia, invece, ha pochi autobus.· The centre is well served; the outskirts, by contrast, have few buses.
- Mentre alcuni approvano, altri chiedono modifiche.· While some approve, others request changes.
- Anche se costa molto, il progetto è necessario.· Even though it costs a lot, the project is necessary.
Form, meaning, and contrast
Compare the second set of models. Identify the contrast in meaning, then check verb form, agreement, pronoun position, and the logical relation before you produce a new sentence.
- Sebbene sia costoso, il progetto è sostenibile.· Although it is expensive, the project is sustainable.
- Nonostante ci siano dubbi, la maggioranza voterà a favore.· Despite there being doubts, the majority will vote in favour.
- I tempi sono stretti; tuttavia, possiamo procedere.· The schedule is tight; however, we can proceed.
- Avevano pochi fondi, eppure hanno completato i lavori.· They had little funding, yet they completed the work.