Explain the role of 'who' and 'whom' in relative clauses of concession.

In relative clauses of concession, 'who' and 'whom' play the role of introducing additional information that presents a contrast or concession to the main clause. These relative pronouns are used to refer to people and are used interchangeably depending on their function within the clause.

'Who' is used as the subject of the relative clause, while 'whom' is used as the object. However, it is important to note that the use of 'whom' is becoming less common in modern English, and 'who' is often used in both subject and object positions.

Relative clauses of concession are used to express a contrast or unexpected information in relation to the main clause. They often begin with words such as 'although,' 'even though,' 'despite,' or 'in spite of.' These clauses provide additional information that may seem contradictory or surprising, but they are used to emphasize the unexpected nature of the situation.

Here are a few examples to illustrate the use of 'who' and 'whom' in relative clauses of concession:

1. The student, who had failed the previous exams, managed to pass the final test.
- In this example, 'who' is used as the subject of the relative clause and introduces additional information about the student. The main clause suggests that passing the final test was unexpected or surprising given the student's previous failures.

2. The professor, whom everyone considered strict, turned out to be very understanding.
- In this sentence, 'whom' is used as the object of the relative clause and provides additional information about the professor. The main clause implies that the professor's understanding nature was unexpected or contrary to the general perception of their strictness.

3. Despite the rainy weather, the hikers, who were determined to reach the summit, continued their journey.
- Here, 'who' is used as the subject of the relative clause and introduces additional information about the hikers. The main clause suggests that the hikers' determination to reach the summit was unexpected or challenging due to the unfavorable weather conditions.

In summary, 'who' and 'whom' play a crucial role in relative clauses of concession by introducing additional information that presents a contrast or concession to the main clause. They help emphasize unexpected or contradictory situations, providing a deeper understanding of the context.