Conceded vs Concession: When And How Can You Use Each One?

When it comes to the English language, there are often words that are used interchangeably, leading to confusion and misuse. Two such words are “conceded” and “concession.” While they may sound similar and have related meanings, they are not interchangeable. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two words and provide examples of how to use them correctly.

Conceded and concession are both nouns that are often used in the context of negotiations or arguments. However, they have different meanings and implications.

Conceded is the past tense of the verb “concede,” which means to admit or acknowledge something reluctantly or after initially denying or resisting it. It can also mean to yield or surrender something, such as a position or point of view.

On the other hand, a concession is a compromise or agreement made by one party in a negotiation or argument in order to reach a resolution or settlement. It can also refer to a physical space or area that is granted or leased for a specific purpose, such as a concession stand at a sports stadium.

While these words may seem similar at first glance, it is important to use them correctly in order to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion. In the following sections, we will explore the usage and examples of each word in more detail.

Define Conceded

Conceded is a verb that means to acknowledge the truth or validity of something, often reluctantly or after a dispute or argument. It can also mean to give up or surrender something, such as a position or a point in a debate. In sports, it is used to describe a team or player who willingly accepts defeat or acknowledges the superiority of their opponent.

Define Concession

A concession is a noun that refers to something granted or yielded, often as a result of negotiations or compromise. It can also mean a stand or booth where goods or services are sold, such as at a stadium or amusement park. In politics, a concession can refer to a candidate or party acknowledging the victory of their opponent in an election.

Here is a table comparing the definitions of conceded and concession:

Conceded	Concession
Verb	Noun
To acknowledge the truth or validity of something	Something granted or yielded
To give up or surrender something	A stand or booth where goods or services are sold
Used to describe a team or player who willingly accepts defeat	Can refer to a candidate or party acknowledging the victory of their opponent in an election

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right word in a sentence can make all the difference in conveying your message accurately. Two commonly confused words are conceded and concession. Here’s how to use them correctly.

How To Use “Conceded” In A Sentence

The word “conceded” is typically used in the context of admitting defeat or acknowledging the truth of something. It is often used in debates or arguments when one side recognizes that the opposing side has a valid point. For example:

• After hours of arguing, John finally conceded that he was wrong.
• The company conceded that they had made a mistake and offered to rectify it.
• She conceded defeat and left the competition gracefully.

As you can see, “conceded” is used to express an admission of defeat or error. It is important to use this word when you want to acknowledge the opposing side’s point of view or concede to their argument.

How To Use “Concession” In A Sentence

The word “concession” is used to refer to something that is given up or yielded, often in the context of negotiations or agreements. It can also refer to a physical space or area that is leased or rented out to someone. For example:

• The union made several concessions in order to reach a compromise with management.
• The landlord agreed to make several concessions on the lease terms to secure the tenant.
• The theme park offered a concession stand selling snacks and drinks.

As you can see, “concession” is used to refer to something that is given up or yielded in a negotiation or agreement. It can also refer to a physical space that is leased or rented out to someone. It is important to use this word when you want to refer to a compromise or concession made in a negotiation or agreement.

More Examples Of Conceded & Concession Used In Sentences

In order to better understand how to use the words conceded and concession in context, it is helpful to examine some examples of their usage in sentences. Below are several examples of sentences that use these words correctly and effectively.

Examples Of Using Conceded In A Sentence

• Despite his initial reluctance, John conceded to his wife’s request to attend the family gathering.
• Although the company had previously denied any wrongdoing, they eventually conceded to the allegations and settled the lawsuit.
• After a lengthy debate, the politician conceded to the opposing party’s proposal.
• The athlete conceded that his opponent had played a better game and deserved to win.
• While he disagreed with his colleague’s opinion, he conceded that there were valid points to consider.
• She finally conceded defeat and withdrew her candidacy from the election.
• Despite her reservations, the teacher conceded that the new teaching method had improved student performance.
• The defendant’s lawyer conceded that his client had made a mistake and apologized to the court.
• Although he had previously been opposed to the idea, he ultimately conceded to his friend’s plan for the weekend.
• After much negotiation, the labor union conceded to the company’s demands for a pay cut.

Examples Of Using Concession In A Sentence

• The restaurant offered a free appetizer as a concession for the long wait time.
• As a concession to the opposition, the government agreed to revise the controversial law.
• The company made several concessions in order to secure the contract with the client.
• In a concession to environmental concerns, the new building was designed to be more energy-efficient.
• The landlord made a concession by lowering the rent in exchange for a longer lease term.
• The negotiators reached a compromise by making mutual concessions on several key issues.
• The airline offered a concession of free baggage check-in for customers affected by the flight delay.
• As a concession to public opinion, the city council voted to increase funding for the public library.
• The coach made a concession by allowing the injured player to sit out of the game.
• The company’s CEO made a concession by agreeing to take a pay cut in order to avoid layoffs.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using words in the English language, there are many common mistakes that people make. One of the most common mistakes is using the words “conceded” and “concession” interchangeably. While these words may seem similar, they have distinct meanings and should not be used in place of one another.

Using “Conceded” Instead Of “Concession”

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “conceded” instead of “concession.” While both words refer to giving something up, they are used in different contexts. “Conceded” is a verb that means to admit defeat or acknowledge the truth of something. For example, “He conceded that he was wrong.” On the other hand, “concession” is a noun that refers to something that is given up or granted. For example, “The company made a concession to the union.”

Using “Concession” Instead Of “Conceded”

Another common mistake is using “concession” instead of “conceded.” This mistake is often made when people are trying to use “concession” as a verb. However, “concession” is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. To convey the same meaning as “conceded,” you would need to use a different verb such as “admitted” or “acknowledged.”

Tips To Avoid Mistakes

To avoid making these common mistakes, it is important to understand the difference between “conceded” and “concession.” Here are some tips to help you use these words correctly:

• Remember that “conceded” is a verb and “concession” is a noun.
• Use “conceded” when you want to express admitting defeat or acknowledging the truth of something.
• Use “concession” when you want to refer to something that is given up or granted.
• If you are unsure which word to use, consult a dictionary or thesaurus.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words conceded and concession, context plays a crucial role. Both words are used to express the act of yielding or giving in, but their usage can vary depending on the situation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between conceded and concession might change:

Context	Conceded	Concession
Debate	“I conceded that my opponent made a valid point.”	“I made a concession to my opponent by acknowledging their valid point.”
Negotiation	“I conceded to their demands in order to reach a compromise.”	“I made a concession by agreeing to their demands in order to reach a compromise.”
Sports	“The team conceded defeat after a tough game.”	“The team made a concession by accepting their defeat after a tough game.”

In a debate, using the word conceded might imply that the speaker was initially opposed to the point being made, but eventually came around to agreeing with it. On the other hand, using the word concession might indicate that the speaker made a deliberate effort to acknowledge the opposing viewpoint, regardless of their own stance.

In a negotiation, using the word conceded might suggest that the speaker gave in to the other party’s demands, whereas using the word concession could indicate that the speaker made a strategic move to reach a compromise.

In sports, using the word conceded is commonly used to describe a team accepting defeat, while using the word concession might imply that the team made a conscious decision to acknowledge the other team’s superior performance.

Overall, the choice between conceded and concession depends on the specific context and the intended meaning behind the words. It is important to consider the connotations and implications of each word in order to accurately convey the intended message.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using conceded and concession are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind. Below are some cases where the rules may not apply:

1. Concession In Negotiations

In negotiation scenarios, concession can take on a slightly different meaning. Instead of referring to a point that has been given up, it can refer to a point that is offered in exchange for something else. For example, a company might offer a concession to a union during contract negotiations in exchange for something else, such as a wage freeze or increased productivity.

2. Conceded In Sports

In sports, the term conceded can have a different meaning than in other contexts. Instead of referring to a point that has been given up willingly, it can refer to a point that is awarded to an opponent due to a rule violation or other circumstance. For example, a soccer team might concede a penalty kick to the opposing team after committing a foul in the penalty area.

3. Concession In Geography

In geography, the term concession can refer to a piece of land that is granted by a government to a foreign entity for a specific purpose. This can include the right to extract resources, build infrastructure, or establish a colony. For example, in the late 19th century, European powers established concessions in China that allowed them to control certain areas and engage in trade.

4. Conceded In Legal Proceedings

In legal proceedings, the term conceded can refer to a point that is acknowledged by one party as true or valid. This can be done to avoid a lengthy argument or to focus on other issues in the case. For example, a defense attorney might concede that their client committed a certain act, but argue that it was done in self-defense.

5. Concession In Business

In business, the term concession can refer to a discount or other incentive that is offered to a customer or client. This can be done to encourage them to make a purchase or to maintain a long-term relationship. For example, a car dealership might offer a concession on the price of a vehicle to a repeat customer.

By understanding these exceptions, you can use conceded and concession more effectively in a variety of contexts.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of conceded and concession is to practice using them in sentences. Here are some practice exercises to help you get started:

Exercise 1:

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:

Sentence	Word Choices
After losing the game, the team __________ defeat.	conceded, concession
The company made a __________ to the union during negotiations.	concession, conceded
He __________ that he was wrong about the date.	conceded, concession
The government made a __________ to the protesters by agreeing to review the policy.	concession, conceded

Exercise 2:

Write a sentence using each word correctly:

• Conceded:
• Despite his initial reluctance, he eventually conceded to her request.
• Concession:
• The company offered a concession to its employees in the form of a bonus.

Exercise 3:

Complete each sentence with the correct form of conceded or concession:

1. The politician __________ that he had made a mistake.
2. The company made several __________ to the workers during the negotiations.
3. After a long debate, the opposition __________ defeat.
4. The government’s __________ to the protesters did little to quell the unrest.

Answer Key:

Exercise 1	Exercise 3
conceded	conceded
concession	concessions
conceded	concede
concession	concessions

• The politician conceded that he had made a mistake.
• The company made several concessions to the workers during the negotiations.
• After a long debate, the opposition conceded defeat.
• The government’s concessions to the protesters did little to quell the unrest.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between conceded vs concession, it is clear that these two terms have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in writing and speaking. Here are some key takeaways from this article:

Conceded

• Means to admit defeat or acknowledge something as true
• Often used in debates or arguments
• Can be used as a verb or an adjective
• Example: “After hours of arguing, he finally conceded that he was wrong.”

Concession

• Means to give something up or make a compromise
• Often used in negotiations or business deals
• Can be used as a noun or an adjective
• Example: “The company made a concession to the union by agreeing to higher wages.”

It is important to use these terms correctly to avoid confusion and convey the intended meaning. By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, you can improve your writing and communication skills.