even accepting that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even accepting that" is proper English and can be used in written language.
It is used to concede something, even though you may not necessarily agree with or approve of it. For example: "Even accepting that the government is doing its best to address the issue, the problem still persists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But even accepting that young lawyers in Matthew Courtney's position are there with their eyes open, the solicitors' firms cannot escape criticism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even accepting that Trinity Mirror is a risk-averse public company with limited resources and required to be prudent, it is impossible to escape the conclusion that the promotion was wholly inadequate.

The Guardian

Even accepting that Brexit would have a negative effect on public finances, and also accepting it would be £30bn hit, it "would be bad news, but not a catastrophe".

The Guardian

And even accepting that will have absolutely no effect on your admissions chances.

Huffington Post

Even accepting that Jakku was Finn's first military assignment of any kind, as many readers of my first article on the film clearly did, are we to assume that he was entirely in the dark about the giant, racist, homicidal, Galaxy-spanning terrorist organization he was mopping floors for?

Huffington Post

In addition, even accepting that BicD is important as a dynein recruiter, there has been open the question of whether BicD plays any continuing regulatory roles, distinct from making sure that the transport complex is appropriately set up.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But Cameron can't even accept that, Cathcart says.

The Guardian

But RBS – owned by us – wouldn't even accept that".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Some people won't even accept that smoking causes cancer or that quitting decreases your risk".

The New York Times - Health

But it is not clear that the bidders would even accept that arrangement, and for now, the department plans to award the contract to just one team.

The New York Times

Rifkind, at least by implication, didn't even accept that, claiming to the BBC's John Humphrys that anything he had told the undercover journalists he would have been willing to say in a real interview.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "even accepting that", ensure that the statement following the phrase directly addresses the conceded point, either to refute it or to show its limited impact on your overall argument.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "even accepting that" without clearly explaining how the conceded point ultimately supports your argument or is less significant than your main claim. Failing to do so can weaken your overall message and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even accepting that" serves as a concessive conjunction, introducing a statement that acknowledges a point before presenting a contrasting or qualifying argument. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's used to concede something without necessarily agreeing with it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even accepting that" is a concessive conjunction used to introduce a point that is acknowledged before presenting a counter-argument or qualification. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news, science and formal business contexts. The phrase serves to establish credibility and navigate complex arguments. Remember to clearly explain how the conceded point relates to your main claim to avoid weakening your message. Consider alternatives like "granted that" or "assuming that" for variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

granted that

This alternative shortens the phrase while retaining the core meaning of conceding a point.

conceding that

This alternative emphasizes the act of yielding or granting a point in an argument.

assuming that

This alternative implies a hypothetical acceptance for the sake of argument.

admitting that

This alternative focuses on the act of acknowledging or conceding something, often reluctantly.

allowing that

This alternative suggests a reluctant or conditional acceptance.

even if we grant that

This alternative adds emphasis to the act of concession, highlighting the hypothetical nature of the acceptance.

while acknowledging that

This alternative emphasizes the act of recognizing or acknowledging something, often with a contrasting viewpoint.

even supposing that

This alternative introduces a more speculative or hypothetical element to the acceptance.

granting this

This alternative is a more concise and direct way of expressing concession.

although it is accepted that

This alternative uses a more formal tone, emphasizing the general acceptance of a fact or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "even accepting that" in a sentence?

Use "even accepting that" to concede a point before introducing a counter-argument or highlighting its limitations. For example, "Even accepting that the initial investment is high, the long-term benefits are substantial."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "even accepting that"?

Alternatives include "granted that", "assuming that", or "admitting that". Each carries a slightly different nuance of concession.

Is "even accepting that" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "even accepting that" is appropriate for formal writing as it provides a clear and logical way to acknowledge counterarguments. However, ensure the overall tone remains professional and objective.

What's the difference between "even accepting that" and "although"?

"Even accepting that" explicitly concedes a point before continuing with an argument, whereas "although" simply introduces a contrasting idea. "Even accepting that" often implies a stronger initial agreement with the conceded point compared to "although".