Advanced Discourse Markers & Complex Cohesion (C1/C2)
📌 Lesson contents
🎯 Lesson goal
At C1 and C2 level (Cambridge Proficiency), text cohesion needs advanced linking words to express shades of concession, cause and condition without making sentences heavy. In this lesson we look at complex markers such as notwithstanding, albeit, inasmuch as and insofar as, which are vital for Key Word Transformations and academic register. 🚀
🔗 1. Advanced Concessive Markers
Advanced concessive markers let you contrast ideas in a sophisticated and elegant way:
| Marker | Grammar type | Function / Formal use | C1/C2 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notwithstanding | Preposition / Adverb | “Despite / Even so”. It can come before or after the noun. | Notwithstanding the rain, the match continued. The heavy rain notwithstanding, we went out. |
| Albeit | Reduced linking word | “Although / Though”. It links adjectives or phrases (not clauses with a finite verb). | He accepted the job, albeit a bit reluctantly. |
| Much as | Concessive conjunction | “However much / Even though”. Mostly used with verbs of feeling (like, respect, enjoy). | Much as I respect his work, I disagree on this point. |
| For all (that) | Preposition / Conjunction | “In spite of everything / Despite”. Emphatic concessive phrase. | For all his wealth, he remains remarkably humble. |
⚙️ 2. Come costruirli
To use advanced discourse markers in your writing or in transformation tests, follow this procedure:
- Step 1: Identify the logical relationship between the two clauses.
Decide whether it is concession (unexpected contrast), formal cause or a limit on how far the statement is true. - Step 2: Tell prepositional markers from conjunctions.
– If you use notwithstanding ➔ put it with a noun phrase or a noun (e.g. notwithstanding the objections).
– If you use albeit ➔ put it directly before an adjective or adverb, with no subject or verb (e.g. albeit short).
– If you use inasmuch as ➔ introduce a full cause clause with a subject and a verb. - Step 3: Take care with punctuation and position in the sentence.
Opening markers need a comma to separate the main clause, while connectors like albeit go directly before the modifier.
🌟 3. Causal, Limiting and Formal Markers
High-register structures to give the reasons for, or the limits of, a claim:
| Marker | Grammar value | C1/C2 example |
|---|---|---|
| Inasmuch as | Formal cause (“since / because”) | Inasmuch as the evidence is inconclusive, the trial must be suspended. |
| Insofar as | Limiting (“to the extent that”) | The plan is valid insofar as it addresses budget concerns. |
| In the event of / that | Formal condition (“in case of / if … happens”) | In the event of a emergency, press the red button. |
| In that | Explaining (“in the sense that / because”) | The treaty is unique in that it protects indigenous rights. |
🚫 Common Mistakes in C1/C2 Tests
| Frequent mistake ❌ | Correct form ✅ |
|---|---|
| Albeit he was exhausted, he completed the race. | Although he was exhausted, he completed the race. / He completed the race, albeit exhausted. (Albeit cannot be followed by a full clause with a subject and a verb.) |
| Inasmuch as that we failed, we must try again. | Inasmuch as we failed, we must try again. (Do not add “that” after “inasmuch as”.) |
| Notwithstanding he tried hard, he didn’t succeed. | Notwithstanding his hard work, he didn’t succeed. / Despite trying hard, he didn’t succeed. (Notwithstanding needs a noun phrase.) |
1. Gap Fill & Transformation Test (15 Questions)
Complete the sentences with the correct discourse marker (e.g. notwithstanding, albeit, inasmuch as, insofar as, much as, in that).
2. Extra: Sentence Builder 🧩
Tap the words to move them and rebuild sentences with advanced discourse markers!