Although vs. Though – Which is Correct?

Both although and though are correct English words used as conjunctions to introduce a contrasting idea, meaning “despite the fact that.” While largely interchangeable, although is generally considered slightly more formal, and though has an additional use as an adverb meaning “however” or “nevertheless,” often appearing at the end of a sentence.

Beyond these two, it’s also useful to understand the subtle differences when choosing between while and although in various writing situations.

Although or Though – Which is Correct?

Both “although” and “though” are grammatically correct in American English and function primarily as subordinating conjunctions. They are used to introduce a subordinate clause that presents a contrast or concession to the main clause. The primary difference lies in their formality and the additional adverbial use of “though.” “Although” tends to be slightly more formal and is often preferred in academic or professional writing. “Though” is more common in everyday speech and informal writing, and uniquely, it can also function as an adverb at the end of a sentence, meaning “however” or “nevertheless,” a usage “although” does not share.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Although	Conjunction	Despite the fact that; in spite of the fact that	Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.
Though	Conjunction, Adverb	(Conjunction) Despite the fact that; (Adverb) However; nevertheless	(Conjunction) Though he was tired, he kept working. (Adverb) It was a difficult task, though.

How to Use Although

“Although” is used as a subordinating conjunction to introduce a clause that expresses a contrast or concession to the main clause. It means “despite the fact that” or “even if.” It is typically placed at the beginning of the subordinate clause, which can come either before or after the main clause. “Although” is generally considered more formal than “though” and is often preferred in written English, especially in academic or professional contexts. It sets up an expectation that the main clause will present a surprising or unexpected outcome given the information in the subordinate clause.

Example 1: Although the car was old, it ran perfectly.

Example 2: She decided to go for a run, although she felt a bit unwell.

Example 3: Although the project faced numerous challenges, the team managed to complete it on time.

What are the different forms of Although?

“Although” is a fixed conjunction and does not change its form based on tense, number, or person. It always remains “although” regardless of the context in which it is used. It functions solely as a connector between clauses.

Etymology of the word Although

The word “although” originated in Middle English, combining “all” and “though.” It dates back to the late 14th century. The “all” prefix was added to “though” (which itself comes from Old English þeah) to intensify the concessive meaning, essentially meaning “completely despite the fact that.”

How to Use Though

“Though” is highly versatile, functioning both as a subordinating conjunction and an adverb. As a conjunction, it is largely interchangeable with “although,” meaning “despite the fact that.” In this role, it introduces a subordinate clause that contrasts with the main clause. “Though” as a conjunction is generally less formal than “although” and is very common in spoken English and informal writing. Its unique adverbial usage allows it to be placed at the end of a clause (or sometimes in the middle), where it means “however” or “nevertheless,” indicating a contrast or qualification to the preceding statement.

Example 1 (Conjunction): Though it was late, they continued their conversation.

Example 2 (Conjunction): He accepted the offer, though he had some reservations.

Example 3 (Adverb): I didn’t like the movie much; it had a good ending, though.

What are the different forms of Though?

Like “although,” “though” is a fixed word in its form. It does not inflect for tense, number, or person. Its “forms” are distinguished by its grammatical function: either as a subordinating conjunction or as an adverb. It remains “though” in all these uses.

Etymology of the word Though

The word “though” has deep Germanic roots, deriving from the Old English word þeah, which meant “although, however, nevertheless.” This Old English term can be traced back to Proto-Germanic þauh and ultimately to the Proto-Indo-European root *to-, meaning “that” or “there.” Its usage as both a conjunction and an adverb has been present for centuries.

Related Concepts

The usage of “although” and “though” falls under the broader grammatical concept of concessive clauses. Concessive clauses (also known as clauses of concession) introduce information that presents a contrast or an unexpected outcome relative to the main clause. They essentially say, “This happened, despite that.” Other words and phrases that introduce concessive clauses include “even though,” “while,” “whereas,” “despite,” and “in spite of.” “Even though” is a stronger, more emphatic version of “although” or “though,” highlighting a greater sense of surprise or unlikeliness. Understanding concessive clauses helps in conveying complex relationships between ideas, showing exceptions, contrasts, or counterpoints within a sentence.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Dave, although I understand your predicament.” – HAL 9000, 2001: A Space Odyssey
• “It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents – though it was not yet dark, and the moon shone brightly.” – Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Paul Clifford (a famous bad opening line, showcasing “though” as an adverb)
• “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others, though some might argue that contradicts the first statement.” – George Orwell, Animal Farm (adapted for illustrative adverbial use)
• “Although she was warned, she persisted.” – A common phrase emphasizing determination.
• “He had a good heart, though he often made bad decisions.” – Highlighting a character flaw with a positive underlying trait.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. ____ she was tired, she continued to study for her exam.
2. The movie was long, I enjoyed it, ____.
3. We decided to go for a picnic, ____ the weather forecast predicted rain.
4. ____ the task was challenging, they refused to give up.
5. He claimed to be an expert, he couldn’t answer simple questions, ____.

Answer Key

1. Although / Though
2. though
3. although / though
4. Although / Though
5. though

Although Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Though	Despite the fact that; in spite of the fact that (less formal)
Even though	In spite of the fact that; despite the fact that (more emphatic)
While	Despite the fact that; in contrast to the fact that
Whereas	In contrast or comparison with the fact that
Notwithstanding	In spite of; despite (more formal and archaic)

Though Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Although	Despite the fact that; in spite of the fact that (more formal)
Even though	In spite of the fact that; despite the fact that (more emphatic)
However	Nevertheless; in spite of that (when used as an adverb)
Nonetheless	In spite of that; nevertheless (when used as an adverb)
Yet	Nevertheless; in spite of that (when used as a conjunction or adverb)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “though” be used at the end of a sentence?
Yes, “though” can be used as an adverb at the end of a sentence (or clause) to mean “however” or “nevertheless.” This is a common and grammatically correct usage, especially in informal contexts. For example: “It was a tough game, I enjoyed it, though.”

Question 2: Is “although” more formal than “though”?
Generally, yes. “Although” is considered slightly more formal than “though” when both are used as conjunctions. In academic writing, formal reports, or professional communications, “although” is often preferred. “Though” is more common in everyday conversation and less formal writing.

Question 3: When should I use “even though”?
“Even though” is a more emphatic version of “although” or “though.” It is used to express a stronger sense of contrast, surprise, or concession. It emphasizes that something happened despite a very strong counter-reason. For example: “Even though it poured rain, they still had their outdoor wedding.”

Conclusion

In summary, both “although” and “though” are correct and largely interchangeable as subordinating conjunctions to introduce a contrasting idea. Your choice often comes down to formality: “although” for more formal contexts, and “though” for more casual ones. Remember that “though” uniquely serves a dual role, also functioning as an adverb at the end of a sentence, a capability “although” does not possess. Understanding these nuances allows for precise and effective communication.

Pro Tip: When in doubt in formal writing, “although” is generally the safer choice. For adding a subtle contrast or qualification at the end of a thought, “though” is your go-to adverb, adding a natural, conversational flow.