On The Heteroglossic Function Of "Concessive Conjunctions"

Martin & Rose (2007: 57):

But is the most common conjunction used to signal concession. But there are other possibilities, including however and although, and variations on the theme including even if and even by; in fact, at least, indeed; and nevertheless, needless to say, of course, admittedly, in any case etc:

Even if God and everyone else forgives me a thousand times — I have to live with this hell.

Even if here means ‘more than expected’ — given the condition of forgiveness, his continued hell is unexpected.

I envy and respect the people of the struggle — at least their leaders have the guts to stand by their vultures, to recognise their sacrifices. 

Spiritual murder is more inhumane than a messy, physical murder. At least a murder victim rests.

Blogger Comments:

[1] To be clear, as Halliday & Matthiessen (2014: 422) point out, the conjunction but is used for three distinct types of expansion:

• adversative addition (extension): 'on the other hand' [X and conversely Y]
• replacive variation (extension): 'instead' [not X but Y]
• concessive condition (enhancement): 'nevertheless' [if P then contrary to expectation Q]

[2] Of these, the only items that are conjunctive Adjuncts that can mark a relation of concession are however, although, even if and nevertheless — though however, like but, can also mark adversative addition.  The remaining items serve either as conjunctive Adjuncts marking an elaborating relation, or as modal Adjuncts, mood or comment:

Item	Conjunctive Adjunct	Modal Adjunct
in fact	elaboration: clarification: verifactive	mood: intensity; comment: factual
at least	elaboration: clarification: corrective
in any case	elaboration: clarification: dismissive
needless to say		comment: obvious
of course		comment: obvious
admittedly		comment: concession*

* Interestingly, admittedly signals interpersonal concession as a comment Adjunct, though Martin & Rose misconstrue it as conjunctive.

[3] This continues the (previously cited) confusion between interpersonal counterexpectancy (exceeding vs limiting) and the enhancement relation of concessive condition (if P then contrary to expectation Q):

• if God and everyone else forgives me a thousand times
• then contrary to expectation I have to live with this hell