Practice
Although or however: linking contrasting ideas
The cafe was busy. We found a table. To join those ideas, you can say, "Although the cafe was busy, we found a table," or write two sentences: "The cafe was busy. However, we found a table." The contrast is similar, but the grammar and punctuation are different.
Link two contrasting ideas by choosing although for a dependent clause and however for a separate sentence or clause.
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, however /ɔːlˈðoʊ, haʊˈevər/
The short answer
Use although before a clause with a subject and verb: Although it was late, Maya continued working. Use however to add a contrast after a full statement: It was late. However, Maya continued working.
Although the road was wet, the driver arrived on time.
Why it works: Although begins the dependent clause. A comma separates that opening clause from the main clause.
5 more examples
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Although the bus was late, we reached the office before nine.
Although introduces the first clause. The second clause gives the result that may seem unexpected.
Not this:The bus was late.
However, we reachedthe office before nine. What changes: However begins a new sentence that contrasts with the earlier statement. -
The instructions were brief; however, they were clear.
A semicolon can come before however when both parts are complete clauses.
Not this:
Although the instructions were brief, they were clear. What changes: Although makes the first part a dependent clause inside one sentence. -
Although Priya had practiced, she felt nervous before the interview.
The opening clause contains a subject and a verb. It needs a main clause after the comma.
Not this:Priya had practiced.
However, she felt nervousbefore the interview. What changes: However links the second complete statement to the first one. -
We chose the outdoor table although the weather looked uncertain.
An although clause can come after the main clause. A comma is usually not needed in this position.
Not this:The weather looked uncertain.
However, we chosethe outdoor table. What changes: The two sentences keep the contrast clear without changing the meaning. -
Although the software is new, the basic controls are familiar.
Although can introduce a present-time contrast as well as a past event.
Not this:The software is new.
However, the basic controlsare familiar. What changes: However points back to the first statement and adds the unexpected detail.
Read the full guide
First, find the two ideas that contrast. If you want one idea to begin a single sentence, use although before its subject and verb. If you have already written a complete statement and want to add a contrasting statement, use however with a full stop or a semicolon before it.
Choose the sentence shape first
Both words show that the second idea is surprising when you compare it with the first. The choice depends on the structure you want. Although builds one sentence. However usually starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon.
Although the store was closing, the clerk answered our question.
The clause after although cannot stand alone here. It needs the main clause about the clerk.
Do you want one sentence or two complete statements?
Use although for one sentence. Use however when you move to another complete statement.
Put although before a clause
A clause after although normally has a subject and a verb. Put the although clause at the beginning or the end of the sentence. If it comes first, use a comma before the main clause.
Although Omar checked the map, he took the wrong bus.
Omar checked the map is the idea introduced by although. He took the wrong bus is the main clause.
Which word belongs before the clause it was expensive?
Use although: Although it was expensive, we bought the repair kit.
Use however after a complete idea
A complete statement has a subject and a verb and can end with a full stop. When however introduces the next statement, write a full stop before it and a comma after it. A semicolon can also join two closely related complete statements.
The apartment was small. However, it had a quiet balcony.
The first sentence is complete before however. The second sentence is complete after however.
Add punctuation: The forecast was poor however we went hiking.
Write: The forecast was poor. However, we went hiking.
Avoid the comma-only mistake
Do not use a comma alone to connect two complete sentences around however. The comma does not give enough separation. Use a full stop, or use a semicolon before however and a comma after it.
The room was crowded; however, everyone could hear the speaker.
The semicolon joins two complete clauses. The comma after however marks the transition into the second clause.
Is this correct: The room was crowded, however everyone could hear the speaker?
No. Replace the comma before however with a full stop or a semicolon.
Check the meaning and punctuation
Read the two ideas separately. If the second idea changes what a reader might expect from the first, either word may express the contrast. Then choose although for a dependent clause or however for a new complete statement.
Although the package arrived late, it was undamaged.
The late arrival might make a reader expect a problem. The main clause gives a different result.
Which word completes a new sentence after The package arrived late.?
Use however: The package arrived late. However, it was undamaged.
Before you go
Remember this
Use although to introduce a clause inside one sentence. Use however to introduce a contrasting complete statement after a full stop or semicolon. Avoid a comma alone between two complete sentences when however follows it.
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 "Although or however: linking contrasting ideas"
What is the main difference between although and however?
Although introduces a dependent clause inside one sentence. However usually introduces a contrasting complete statement after a full stop or semicolon. Both words can show contrast, but their sentence positions and punctuation are different.
Although the bus was late, we reached the office before nine.
Can I put although in the middle of a sentence?
Yes. Put the main clause first, then add an although clause: We stayed outside although the wind was cold. The clause after although still needs a subject and a verb. A comma is usually not needed when the although clause comes second.
The bus was late. However, we reached the office before nine.
Why does however often have commas around it?
When however begins a new contrasting sentence, a comma usually follows it: The task was difficult. However, we completed it. If however appears inside a sentence as an interrupting word, commas can mark that interruption. Check the full sentence pattern.
The instructions were brief; however, they were clear.
Can a comma alone come before however?
No, not when however connects two complete sentences. Use a full stop before however, or use a semicolon before it and a comma after it. A comma alone creates a run-on sentence: The task was difficult, however we completed it.
Although the instructions were brief, they were clear.
Do although and however always mean exactly the same thing?
They often show a similar contrast, but they are not interchangeable in every position. Although must introduce a clause. However can connect a new statement or modify an idea in other patterns. Choose the form that fits the sentence structure first.
Although Priya had practiced, she felt nervous before the interview.