What does concessive mean?
In English grammar, 'concessive' describes words, phrases, or clauses whose function is to make a concession — to grant or acknowledge a fact that might seem to argue against the speaker's main point. Typical concessive conjunctions include 'although', 'though', 'even though', 'while', and 'whereas'; a sentence like 'Although the road was closed, we arrived on time' contains a concessive clause because it admits an obstacle before affirming the outcome. The term derives ultimately from the Latin 'concédere', meaning to yield or give way, and it belongs chiefly to the vocabulary of linguists, teachers, and students analysing how arguments are structured. Beyond grammar, it can describe anything marked by concession or a willingness to yield, though this broader use is comparatively rare. Understanding the concept matters because concessions are central to persuasive writing: acknowledging an opposing view before countering it strengthens rather than weakens an argument, and the family of concessive expressions gives writers precise tools for striking that balance.
(Grammar) Expressing concession; used of a clause, conjunction, or construction that grants a point which contrasts with the main assertion, as introduced by words such as 'although' and 'even though'.
"Students were asked to underline every concessive clause in the editorial."
Almost exclusively found in linguistic and pedagogical contexts.
(Grammar) A concessive word or expression, especially a conjunction or clause that introduces a concession.
"In the analysis, 'whereas' was classified among the concessives."
Used mainly in linguistics; often appears in the plural when discussing a class of such items.
The plural refers to multiple concessive items, typically conjunctions or clauses grouped together in grammatical discussion.
"English draws its most common concessives from a small set: although, though, even though, and whereas."
Every time you say 'even though', you're using a concessive — grammar's built-in way of admitting your opponent has a point before proving them wrong anyway.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of concessive
The word traces back to the Latin verb 'concédere' ('to give way, yield'), formed from 'con-' ('together') and 'cédere' ('to go, yield'). It entered English via the related Latin-derived noun 'concession', with 'concessive' attested from around the early seventeenth century. Its specialized grammatical sense developed later as linguists classified clause types, grouping expressions like 'although' and 'even though' under the label of concession. Other descendants of the same Latin root include 'concede' and 'conceit'-related forms such as 'conceive' and 'conceivable'.
Related word forms
How concessive is actually used
The word is largely technical, appearing mainly in linguistics, grammar instruction, and formal academic writing about rhetoric or argument structure. Outside these registers it is rare; everyday speakers would more naturally describe such clauses by naming them ('an although-clause') than by using this adjective. As a standalone adjective meaning simply 'yielding', it is uncommon and can sound stilted.
Easily confused with concessive
'Concession' is a noun meaning the act of yielding or admitting something, while 'concessive' is an adjective (or grammatical term) describing language that expresses such a concession.