Pinceladas gramaticales: oraciones concesivas

Las oraciones concesivas expresan algo que ocurre o se lleva a cabo a pesar de una dificultad, o algo que no se puede hacer, por mucho que se intente.
Las conjunciones más frecuentes que introducen las subordinadas concesivas son: although/though (aunque), even if/even though (aunque, a pesar de), no matter how/how much/how many/where, etc. (no importa cómo, por mucho(s) que, por más que, no importa dónde, etc.), however (por muy), however much/however many (por mucho/por muchos que), much as (por mucho que), whatever (cualquiera que sea/sean), while (aunque, a pesar de que), (as)...as (aunque):

Although he travels the world, he always spends Christmas at home - aunque viaja por el mundo entero, siempre pasa las navidades en casa.
Though she's only three, she speaks very well - aunque sólo tiene tres años, habla muy bien.
I wouldn't dream of selling my Van Gogh, however much I was offered - en la vida vendería mi Van Gogh, por mucho que me ofrecieran
We have to build a new church, no matter how long it takes - tenemos que edificar una nueva iglesia, por mucho tiempo que nos lleve.
Much as he tried, he did not succeed - no lo logró, por más que lo intentó.
Everyone has a right to vote, whatever country he comes from - todo el mundo tiene derecho a votar, venga del país que venga.
I can still remember that day, even though it was so long ago - todavía me acuerdo de aquel día, a pesar del tiempo que hace.
(As) poor as he was, he bought his wife a new dress for her birthday - aunque era pobre, le compró a su mujer un vestido nuevo por su cumpleaños.

A veces, encontramos subordinadas concesivas abreviadas, con una forma no personal del verbo, o con el verbo sobrentendido:

While wanting to be pleasant, he managed to offend everybody - aunque quería ser agradable, se las arreglaba para ofender a todo el mundo
Though well over eighty, my grandfather goes jogging every day - aunque con más de ochenta años, mi abuelo hace jogging todos los días.

PRÁCTICA

Une las dos oraciones en una sola, empezando por la conjunción dada entre paréntesis:

1.- She's over seventy. She still looks young (though)
2.- I'd like to help you. I can't do it; I'm too busy now (much as)
3.- They often went to the theatre. They never tired of it (no matter)
4.- James was always the first to turn up for work. His boss was not impressed (even though)
5.- It may be very cold. He always goes swimming (however)
6.- He was very rich. He was never a happy man (although)
7.- Your father loves you very much. He won't lend you his Mercedes (however much)
8.- He was desperate. He didn't say a word about it to anyone (as)
9.- You may give him a large sum of money. He won't be satisfied (no matter)
10.- He has his faults. I love him dearly and couldn't live without him (whatever) (usa aquí una subordinada abreviada).

CLAVE

1.- Though she's over seventy, she still looks young.
2.- Much as I'd like to help you, I can't do it; I'm too busy now.
3.- No matter how often they went to the theatre, they never tired of it.
4.- Even though James was always the first to turn up for work, his boss was not impressed.
5.- However cold it is, he always goes swimming.
6.- Although he was very rich, he was never a happy man.
7.- However much he loves you, your father won't lend you his Mercedes.
8.- (As) desperate as he was, he didn't say a word about it to anyone.
9.- No matter how much money you give him, he won't be satisfied.
10.- Whatever his faults, I love him dearly and couldn't live without him.

Para saber más sobre el tema, ver mi Gramática Inglesa, 9ª ed., Pearson, pp. 602-605.