Concession + Rebuttal + Conditional Proposals — Grammatika C1

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Rules and examples from this lesson

Strategic concession: I take your point, but …

Before you disagree, show which part of the other person's argument you accept. I take your point and I accept that … concede a specific point; Granted admits a fact. But or however then narrows the concession: you agree with the fact, not with the conclusion.

I take your point about + noun, but … | I accept that + clause; however, … | Granted, + clause, but …

I take your point about staffing, but the budget was approved in March.
I accept that the timing is awkward; however, waiting would make it worse.
Granted that the first trial failed, the idea itself still deserves a second look.

Rebuttal: challenge the premise

A strong rebuttal does not say "You are wrong". It identifies what the argument takes for granted and shows that the conclusion is true only under that condition. Only if and assumes that are the key tools.

That holds / follows / is valid only if + clause | That assumes (that) + clause | That depends on the assumption that + clause

That follows only if demand stays at its present level.
The forecast depends on the assumption that interest rates will not rise.
Your argument assumes that all customers behave in the same way.
That is true only to the extent that the survey was representative.