Practice
Though vs although: meaning, position, and examples
Sign in to saveAlthough the bus was late, we reached the cinema before the film began. The result may be surprising, but the sentence connects the two ideas. Though can do the same job, and it has one useful extra position at the end of a sentence.
Use though and although before a clause to show contrast, and use though at the end of a sentence when that position fits.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Although it was cold, we went out, though. /ɔːlˈðəʊ ɪt wəz kəʊld wiː went aʊt ðəʊ/
The short answer
Use though or although before a subject and verb to show an unexpected contrast. Use though, not although, at the end of a sentence.
Although the weather was cold, we ate outside.
Why it works: The cold weather might make outdoor eating unlikely, so although links the contrasting facts.
5 more examples
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Although Ava was nervous, she gave a clear presentation.
Ava's nervousness contrasts with the clear presentation that she still gave.
Not this:Ava was nervous. She gave a clear presentation,
though. What changes: Though comes at the end to add the same contrast after the main statement. -
We went for a walk though it was raining lightly.
Though introduces a clause that gives a reason why the walk might not have happened.
Not this:We went for a walk
although it was raining lightly. What changes: Although has the same basic meaning before this clause, but it sounds a little more formal. -
The café was small, but it was comfortable.
But connects two main clauses and shows contrast without introducing a dependent clause.
Not this:
Although the café was small, it was comfortable. What changes: Although introduces the first clause, so do not add but before the main clause. -
Though the instructions looked simple, I read them twice.
The instructions seemed easy, but the speaker still chose to read them carefully.
Not this:I read the instructions twice,
though they looked simple. What changes: Though can move after the main clause when it still introduces a full clause. -
The tickets were expensive. We bought them, though.
At the end, though refers back to the surprising fact that the tickets were expensive.
Not this:
Although the tickets were expensive, we bought them. What changes: Although needs the clause about the tickets before the main clause; it cannot stand at the end.
Read the full guide
Look at the part that follows the word. Though and although need a clause, such as the weather was cold. They do not normally go directly before a noun phrase. First choose the contrast you want to show, then decide whether you need a beginning position or the sentence-final position that only though can use.
Show a contrast between two facts
Use though or although when a fact might make another fact seem unlikely, but the second fact happens anyway. The word introduces the surprising background, then the main clause gives the result.
Although the train was crowded, we found two seats.
A crowded train can make seats hard to find, so the two facts form a contrast.
Does although say that the train was not crowded?
No. Both facts are true: the train was crowded, and the speakers found seats.
Put though and although before a clause
After though or although, use a subject and a verb. This is a clause: the shop was closed. You can put the contrast clause first or after the main clause.
Although the shop was closed, we could order online.
The words after although form a full clause: the shop was closed.
We could order online although the shop was closed.
The same contrast clause can follow the main clause.
Complete the sentence: ___ the shop was closed, we could order online.
Use Though or Although because the next words make a clause.
Use one contrast link, not two
Though and although already introduce the contrast. Do not add but before the main clause. Say Although I was tired, I finished the task, not Although I was tired, but I finished the task.
Though the film was long, I enjoyed it.
Though is enough to connect the long film with the positive opinion.
The film was long, but I enjoyed it.
This is also correct, but uses but between two main clauses instead.
Which sentence is correct: Although I was tired, but I finished the task; or Although I was tired, I finished the task?
Use Although I was tired, I finished the task. Do not combine although with but here.
Use though at the end for an added contrast
Though has an extra use at the end of a sentence. It comments on the main statement and adds a contrast that is already clear from the context. Although cannot be used in this position.
The route was longer. It was quieter, though.
Though refers back to the longer route and adds the positive contrast.
It was quieter although the route was longer.
Although is possible only when it comes before the clause the route was longer.
Choose the ending: The room is small, ___.
Use though: The room is small, though. Although cannot stand alone at the end.
Choose the strength and style you need
Before a clause, though and although have nearly the same meaning. Although can sound more formal in writing. In conversation, though is common, especially at the end. Use even though when you want to make the contrast stronger.
Even though the deadline was close, the team checked every figure.
Even though gives extra emphasis to the fact that the deadline was close.
Although the deadline was close, the team checked every figure.
Although gives the same basic contrast with less emphasis.
Which word can finish this sentence: The deadline was close. The team checked every figure, ___.
Use though. It adds the contrast after the main statement.
Before you go
Remember this
Use though and although before a clause to show that one fact does not stop another fact from being true. Use a comma when that contrast clause comes first. Do not use but in the same sentence pattern. Choose though when you want to add a short contrast at the end of a sentence.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Though vs although: meaning, position, and examples"
What is the difference between though and although?
Before a clause, though and although have almost the same meaning. Both show a contrast: Although Ava was nervous, she gave a clear presentation. Although can sound more formal, while though is more common in conversation and has an extra sentence-final use.
Although Ava was nervous, she gave a clear presentation.
Can though and although start a sentence?
Yes. Put either word before a clause, then use a comma before the main clause: Though the instructions looked simple, I read them twice. Although the instructions looked simple, I read them twice is also correct.
Ava was nervous. She gave a clear presentation, though.
Can I use although at the end of a sentence?
No. Use though at the end when you want to add a contrast after the main statement: The tickets were expensive. We bought them, though. Although needs to introduce a clause, such as Although the tickets were expensive.
We went for a walk though it was raining lightly.
Why can I not use but with although?
Although already links the contrasting ideas. Say Although the report was difficult, Mia completed it. You can instead use but between two main clauses: The report was difficult, but Mia completed it. Do not use both connectors in the same pattern.
We went for a walk although it was raining lightly.
What does even though mean?
Even though introduces a stronger contrast than though or although. Even though the deadline was close, the team checked every figure gives extra emphasis to the short time available. It is followed by a clause with a subject and verb.
The café was small, but it was comfortable.