■ 1. 接続詞として譲歩を表す語
譲歩の接続詞は「〜だけれども」という意味で、後ろに〈S+V〉を伴う。
although/though「〜だけれども」:ほぼ同じ意味。althoughのほうがやや書き言葉的、thoughは口語で
文末に置いて「でもね」という意味で使うこともできる(although文末不可)。
Although the exam was difficult, she managed to pass it.
The exam was difficult. She passed it, though.(thoughのみ文末可)
even though「〜であるにもかかわらず」:althoughより意味が強く、意外性を強調する。
Even though he apologized sincerely, she refused to forgive him.
*注意:though には「たとえ〜でも」の意味で as though / even though as に加え、〈形容詞[副詞/名詞]+though+S+V〉という倒置的な語順もある(第30講のas の譲歩用法と同じ発想)。
Tired though she was, she kept working until midnight.
(疲れていたけれども、彼女は真夜中まで働き続けた)
■ 2. 前置詞(句)として譲歩を表す語
後ろに名詞(句)や動名詞が続く。
despite + 名詞(句)「〜にもかかわらず」:despite of という形は誤り(ofは不要)
Despite the heavy rain, the marathon went ahead as planned.
in spite of + 名詞(句)「〜にもかかわらず」:despiteとほぼ同じ意味・用法
In spite of his young age, he handled the crisis with great maturity.
講義ポイント①
despite / in spite of の後ろに〈S+V〉を続けたい場合は、despite the fact that S+V という形にする(despite that S+V とは言えない)。
■ 3. 実戦演習問題
問1 ( ) she had very little experience, she managed the project brilliantly.
① Despite
② In spite of
③ Although
④ Because of
問2 ( ) the terrible weather, thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium.
① Although
② Despite
③ Even though
④ Whereas
問3 He decided to go hiking alone, ( ) his doctor’s advice.
① although
② even though
③ despite
④ because
問4 Young ( ) she was, she showed remarkable leadership during the crisis.
① despite
② though
③ because
④ unless
問5 ( ) the fact that he had studied for months, he still felt nervous before the exam.
① Despite
② Although
③ Because of
④ As
■ 4. 解答と構造解説&講義注釈
問1 正解:③ Although
空欄の後ろに she had very little experience という〈S+V〉が続くため、接続詞のAlthoughが正しい。①Despite と②In spite of は前置詞(句)なので後ろに名詞(句)が必要。
問2 正解:② Despite
空欄の後ろが the terrible weather という名詞句なので、前置詞のDespiteが正しい。
問3 正解:③ despite
空欄の後ろが his doctor’s advice という名詞句なので、前置詞のdespiteが正しい。①although と②even though は接続詞であり、後ろに名詞句だけを置くことはできない。
問4 正解:② though
〈形容詞+though+S+V〉の倒置的な譲歩構文。「若かったけれども」という意味。Young though she wasで「彼女は若かったけれども」となる。
問5 正解:① Despite
despite the fact that S+V の形。事実(the fact)を目的語に取る前置詞despiteと、that節が同格でthe factを説明している。
復習チェックリスト
☐ although/though/even thoughの意味の強さの違いを説明できるか?
☐ despite(in spite of)の後ろにSVを続けたいときの形(the fact that)を言えるか?


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