Although and in spite of: αν και, παρόλο που, παρά
A concession is when one thing gets in the way and the other happens anyway. Greek builds it three ways, and they differ in tone. For example: “Αν και διαφωνώ, θα το δεχτώ” — Although I don't agree, I will accept it. A rule from the Greek course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
A concession is when one thing gets in the way and the other happens anyway. Greek builds it three ways, and they differ in tone.
αν και (an ke) — "although", the ordinary one: Αν και έβρεχε (an ke évrekhe), πήγαμε (pígame). It stands in front, and θα (tha) does not follow it, just as after αν (an).
παρόλο που (parólo pu) and μολονότι — "in spite of the fact that". The first is for talk, the second for paper: Παρόλο που τον προειδοποίησα (parólo pu ton proidopíisa), επέμεινε (epémine). And παρά (pará) goes with a noun: Παρά τις δυσκολίες, τα κατάφερε (ta katáfere).
One thing holds for all three: the main part needs no "but". Αν και έβρεχε, αλλά πήγαμε (alá pígame) is a mistake — the "although" has already done that work.
Table
| the turn | the tone | what follows |
|---|---|---|
| αν και | plain | a verb, without θα |
| παρόλο που | conversational | a verb |
| μολονότι | bookish | a verb |
| παρά | any | a noun |
| ακόμα κι αν | plain | a verb, without θα |
By example
- Αν και διαφωνώ, θα το δεχτώan ke diafonó, tha to dekhtóAlthough I don't agree, I will accept it
- Παρόλο που τον προειδοποίησα, επέμεινεparólo pu ton proidopíisa, epémineAlthough I warned him, he insisted
- Ακόμα κι αν έχεις δίκιο, μην υψώνεις τη φωνήakóma ki an ékhis díkio, min ipsónis ti foníEven if you are right, don't raise your voice
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
Although and in spite of: how does it work in Greek?
A concession is when one thing gets in the way and the other happens anyway. Greek builds it three ways, and they differ in tone.
What does it look like in an example sentence Greek?
“Αν και διαφωνώ, θα το δεχτώ” (an ke diafonó, tha to dekhtó) — Although I don't agree, I will accept it. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.