even conceding that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even conceding that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to acknowledge a point or argument while suggesting that it does not change the overall conclusion or stance being taken. Example: "Even conceding that the proposal has some merit, I still believe it is not the best option for our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The key passages involve whether it would be safe for the couple to return, even conceding that Macedonia is now a less fractious environment.

The New York Times

Indeed, one of the arguments for constructing a common foreign and security policy in the European Union is precisely that the European view of world affairs is likely, sometimes, to diverge from the American one.Yet, even conceding that point, it remains unhelpful that France so often resorts to a knee-jerk anti-American stance in its foreign policy.

The Economist

In other words: even conceding that leaving the happy child out of existence makes that child worse off than that child might have been – even conceding, that is, that the happy child incurs a "loss" or sustains a "harm" when left out of existence – that loss, according to Variabilism, has no moral significance.

SEP

Appearing deflated and demotivated and even conceding that resigning had occurred to him earlier in the year, Van Basten's current state is denial.

The Guardian - Sport

We might object on the ground that corporal punishment is bad, but even conceding that such punishment should be inflicted by someone, we might believe that it should not be inflicted by a doctor.

Columbia University

Nadal was gracious in defeat, even conceding that his No. 1 ranking in the world was not just in danger, but close to ending, should Djokovic maintain his current form.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Goldman's failure to even concede that point is a large part of the reason the firm is under such scrutiny now.

The New York Times

But I don't even concede that.

The New York Times

He even conceded that he had learned something this week.

The New York Times - Sports

He even concedes that things could get worse in the next few weeks.

The Economist

I would even concede that they might not belong at the fanciest restaurant in town either.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "even conceding that", ensure that the subsequent statement genuinely qualifies or challenges the initial concession, creating a meaningful contrast.

Common error

Avoid using "even conceding that" when a simpler conjunction like "although" or "though" would suffice. The phrase is best reserved for situations where you want to explicitly acknowledge a valid point before presenting a contrasting perspective.

Linguistic Context

Even conceding that functions as a concessive conjunction phrase. It introduces a clause that acknowledges a point, argument, or fact that might seem to weaken the main claim. This is used to strengthen the overall argument by demonstrating awareness of counterpoints, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even conceding that" is a conjunction phrase used to introduce a concession before presenting a contrasting point. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news media and academic contexts. To improve your writing, use this phrase to demonstrate nuanced thinking and to strengthen your argument by addressing potential counterpoints. Remember to avoid overusing it where simpler conjunctions would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even if we grant that

Replaces 'conceding' with 'grant', implying a slightly stronger initial acceptance before the contrasting statement.

even assuming that

Substitutes 'conceding' with 'assuming', suggesting a hypothetical acceptance for the sake of argument.

even allowing that

Uses 'allowing' instead of 'conceding', indicating a permission or acceptance of the point.

even if it is accepted that

Adds formality and emphasizes the acceptance of the point as a given.

even acknowledging that

Replaces 'conceding' with 'acknowledging', highlighting the recognition of a fact or situation.

even though we admit that

Uses 'admit' to suggest a reluctant acceptance of the point, adding a sense of reservation.

even recognizing that

Similar to 'acknowledging', but with a stronger emphasis on understanding the implications of the conceded point.

granting that

A more concise alternative to "even conceding that", directly expressing the act of granting or conceding a point.

admitting that

Shorter and more direct way of conceding, also suggests the speaker might be doing so reluctantly.

even with the understanding that

Adds a layer of awareness and agreement, suggesting a shared basis for the concession.

FAQs

What does "even conceding that" mean?

The phrase "even conceding that" is used to acknowledge a point or fact, often one that might weaken your argument, before continuing with a contrasting or qualifying statement. It signals that despite accepting that point, your main argument still holds.

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

You can use "even conceding that" to introduce a counterargument before reinforcing your main point. For example, "Even conceding that the proposal has some merit, I still believe it is not the best option for our company."

What are some alternatives to "even conceding that"?

Some alternatives to "even conceding that" include "even if we grant that", "even assuming that", or "even allowing that". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to place on the concession.

Is "even conceding that" formal or informal?

"Even conceding that" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, or journalistic writing. In more casual settings, alternatives like "even if" or "although" might be more appropriate.