Four connectors, one obstacle
A concessive clause names an obstacle and states that something happens anyway. Besides aunque there are four connectors that differ in mood, register and construction: a pesar de que, por más que, si bien and aun cuando.
English usually leaves the verb alone here: although, even though and even if are followed by the plain verb, and the word tells you whether the obstacle is a fact (even though) or an open case (even if). Spanish keeps the connector and changes the mood of the verb instead.
The mood choice - new or already known?
Indicativo or subjuntivo
New information - indicativo
The obstacle is real and the other person is only now hearing about it. This is the English even though case.
A pesar de que está enfermo, ha venido a la reunión.
Even though he is ill, he came to the meeting.
the listener learns here for the first time that he is ill
A pesar de que llegamos tarde, nos dejaron entrar.
Even though we arrived late, they let us in.
Open or known - subjuntivo
The obstacle is open (the English even if case) or already known to both of you: you are only conceding it. English has no marker for the second case, it still says even though, so this is the one English speakers miss.
A pesar de que llueva, saldremos a caminar.
Even if it rains, we'll go out for a walk.
whether it rains is still open
A pesar de que sea caro, lo voy a comprar.
Expensive as it is, I'm going to buy it.
both of us know the price
A pesar de que, pese a que and a pesar de
A pesar de que is despite the fact that or simply even though. Pese a que means the same, is shorter and sounds more written. What follows a pesar de decides the form:
a pesar de que + conjugated verb: a clause of its own, also with a different subject
a pesar de + infinitive: same subject in both parts. Where English uses -ing (despite working), Spanish uses the infinitive: a pesar de trabajar, not a pesar de trabajando
a pesar de + noun: without que, e.g. a pesar del frío (despite the cold)
A pesar de que nadie me avisó, llegué a tiempo.
Even though nobody told me, I got there on time.
A pesar de haber estudiado, suspendí el examen.
Despite having studied, I failed the exam.
Pese a que lo intentamos varias veces, no funcionó.
Even though we tried several times, it did not work.
Por más que - no matter how much
Por más que does not just concede, it escalates: however much effort goes in, the result does not change. English: no matter how much, however much. Por mucho que means the same. The mood rule above applies here too, but the subjuntivo is more common. As in English, the noun can sit right after how much: por más dinero que ganes.
The two shapes
Por más que lo intento, no me sale.
No matter how hard I try, I can't get it right.
your own experience, reported as new – indicativo
Por más que insistas, no voy a cambiar de idea.
No matter how much you insist, I am not going to change my mind.
an assumption about the other person – subjuntivo
Por más dinero que ganes, nunca te parecerá suficiente.
No matter how much money you earn, it will never feel like enough.
with the noun slotted in
Si bien - written, with indicativo
Si bien corresponds to the concessive while or although of written English and takes the indicativo. It concedes a fact in order to qualify it in the main clause, typical of newspapers, reports and lectures. In conversation you say aunque instead. It has nothing to do with the conditional si.
Si bien el proyecto es ambicioso, el presupuesto es limitado.
While the project is ambitious, the budget is limited.
Si bien no tenemos datos completos, la tendencia está clara.
Although we don't have complete data, the trend is clear.
Si bien es cierto que costó más, el resultado lo justifica.
It is true that it cost more, but the result justifies it.
si bien es cierto que is a fixed phrase
Aun cuando - a more formal aunque
Aun cuando means even if, even though and sounds more formal than aunque. The mood choice is the same: new fact indicativo, open or known subjuntivo. In aun cuando the word aun has no accent.
Aun cuando llegó tarde, nadie se lo reprochó.
Even though he arrived late, nobody held it against him.
new fact – indicativo
Aun cuando no te guste, tienes que firmarlo.
Even if you don't like it, you have to sign it.
known to both – subjuntivo
Aun cuando tuviéramos el dinero, no compraría esa casa.
Even if we had the money, I wouldn't buy that house.
unreal assumption – imperfect subjunctive
