при всём том что

Concessive При Всём Том Что

Level 6Sounds Like pri vsëm tom čto

При всём том что is a high-register complex conjunction used to introduce a concessive clause. It emphasizes that despite a significant obstacle or fact, the main statement remains true.

How It Works

1. Meaning and Usage
The phrase translates to "despite the fact that" or "even though." It is used to weigh two opposing facts, acknowledging a strong counter-argument or condition while asserting the validity of the main clause.

2. Grammatical Structure
The words всём and том are in the Prepositional case, governed by the preposition при. It introduces a subordinate clause, which can be a standard two-part clause or an impersonal/one-part clause (e.g., при всём том, что было холодно). A common, more emphatic variant is при всём при том, что, which adds extra weight to the concession.

3. Punctuation
In modern Russian, this complex conjunction is typically "split" by a comma placed before the word что (при всём том, что...). When the phrase starts a sentence, a comma splits the conjunction before что, and another comma is placed at the end of the subordinate clause. When it appears in the middle of a sentence, a comma is placed EITHER before the entire phrase (unsplit) OR before что (split), but never both. Additionally, the conjunction MUST be split (with the comma placed only before что) if it is preceded by the negative particle не, restrictive or emphatic particles (such as только, лишь, именно), or introductory words.

4. Adverbial Usage Without "что"
The phrase is frequently used without что as an independent adverbial phrase meaning "despite all that" (e.g., При всём при том он остался спокоен). In this usage, it does not take commas.

5. Register
While при всём том, что is generally formal or bookish (found in journalism and literature), the variant при всём при том carries a more colloquial flavor. For neutral or formal contexts, несмотря на то, что is also widely used, whereas casual speech heavily favors хотя.

Examples (4)

  1. При всём том, что проект очень дорог, его реализация необходима для развития региона.

    Despite the fact that the project is very expensive, its implementation is necessary for the region's development.

    Word by Word: At all that, that project very expensive, its realization necessary for development [of] region.

    Here, the speaker acknowledges the high cost but emphasizes that the necessity of the project outweighs the expense.

  2. При всём том, что она очень устала, она продолжала работать над статьёй.

    Even though she was very tired, she continued to work on the article.

    Word by Word: At all that, that she very tired, she continued to work on article.

    The use of 'при всём том что' emphasizes the totality of her exhaustion.

  3. При всём том, что он был строг, ученики его очень любили.

    Despite the fact that he was strict, the students loved him very much.

    Word by Word: At all that, that he was strict, students him very loved.

    This contrasts a personality trait (strictness) with the students' affection, suggesting the strictness was significant but not a deterrent.

  4. При всём том, что климат здесь суровый, природа поражает своей красотой.

    Notwithstanding the fact that the climate here is harsh, nature amazes with its beauty.

    Word by Word: At all that, that climate here harsh, nature amazes [with] its beauty.

    A formal way to contrast a negative environmental factor with a positive aesthetic one.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the phrase in casual conversation.

    При всём том, что я голоден, я не пойду в кафе.
    Хотя я голоден, я не пойду в кафе.

    Using this formal pattern for everyday situations like being hungry sounds unnaturally stiff. Use 'хотя' instead.

  • Omitting the word 'что' when introducing a clause.

    При всём том он был болен, он пришёл.
    При всём том, что он был болен, он пришёл.

    Without 'что', the phrase 'при всём том' acts as an adverb meaning 'nevertheless' and cannot directly connect to a following clause with a verb.

  • Attempting to decline 'всём' or 'том' to match other nouns.

    При всей той ситуации, что...
    При всём том, что...

    The phrase is a fixed grammatical unit. Even if you are talking about a feminine noun like 'ситуация', the conjunction itself remains 'при всём том что'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

при всём том чтоLevel 6Concessive При Всём Том Что

Learn This First

To learn 'при всём том что', a learner needs to understand the basic concept of concession (expressed by 'хотя'), the mechanics of complex conjunctions involving the relative marker 'что', and the declension of demonstrative pronouns like 'тот'.

Words in This Pattern

привесьтот