Practice
Although, though, and even though compared
Although the forecast promised rain, the market stayed open. The first clause gives a fact that might make the second clause unexpected.
Choose although, though, or even though to introduce a contrasting clause, and use though at the end of an informal 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, though, even though /ɔːlˈðoʊ, ðoʊ, ˈiːvən ðoʊ/
The short answer
Use although or though to introduce a contrast. Use even though when the first fact makes the result especially surprising. Use though at the end of an informal sentence, but do not use although there.
Even though the hall was full, we found two seats near the door.
Why it works: The full hall makes finding seats less likely, so even though gives the contrast extra force.
5 more examples
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Although the instructions were brief, they answered every question I had.
The instructions were brief, but they were still complete enough to answer the questions.
Not this:The instructions were brief,
butthey answered every question I had. What changes: But joins the contrast in one clause pair. Although can introduce the first clause instead. -
We continued the walk though the wind became colder.
The colder wind is a reason to stop, yet the walk continued.
Not this:
Thoughthe wind became colder, we continued the walk. What changes: Moving though to the front keeps the same relationship and requires a comma after the first clause. -
Even though Mila had rehearsed, she felt nervous before the presentation.
Rehearsing often reduces nerves, so the nervous feeling is notable here.
Not this:Mila had rehearsed,
butshe felt nervous before the presentation. What changes: The meaning is similar, but even though puts more attention on the contrast in the first clause. -
The café was busy. We found a quiet table, though.
Final though adds a short, informal contrast to the previous statement.
Not this:
Althoughthe café was busy, we found a quiet table. What changes: Although needs a clause before or after the main clause. It cannot replace final though. -
The team met the deadline, even though two members were away.
Two absent members make meeting the deadline more surprising.
Not this:The team met the deadline
althoughtwo members were away. What changes: Although is possible here, but even though puts stronger emphasis on the unexpected result.
Read the full guide
First find the two ideas. One clause gives a fact, condition, or obstacle. The other clause says what happened despite it. Then decide whether a neutral contrast is enough or whether the sentence needs the stronger emphasis of even though.
Start with two ideas that contrast
Use these connectors when the first idea could make the second idea seem unlikely. They do not show a cause. They show that the main clause is true despite the fact in the contrast clause.
Although the shop was closing, the assistant helped us find the book.
Closing time might stop the search, but the assistant still helped.
Does the first clause give a fact that makes the main clause unexpected?
Yes. That relationship is a good reason to consider although, though, or even though.
Use although or though for a neutral contrast
Although and though can both introduce the contrast clause. In most sentences, the choice does not change the basic meaning. Although can sound more formal, while though is frequent in conversation and general writing.
Though the train was crowded, everyone found a place to stand.
Although the train was crowded, everyone found a place to stand has the same basic contrast.
Choose a connector: ___ the train was crowded, everyone found a place to stand.
Although and though both fit. Choose although for a slightly more formal tone.
Add force with even though
Choose even though when you want the reader to notice that the main result happened in a situation where it may not have been expected. The grammar is the same as with although and though, but the contrast carries more weight.
Even though the battery was low, the phone lasted through the journey.
Although the battery was low is grammatical too. Even though makes the long battery life sound more surprising.
Which form gives stronger emphasis: although the road was blocked, or even though the road was blocked?
Even though gives stronger emphasis to the fact that the road was blocked.
Put the contrast clause in either position
The contrast clause can come first or second. Put a comma after it when it comes first. When it comes after the main clause, a comma is usually not needed in a short sentence.
Although the museum was busy, we saw every room. We saw every room although the museum was busy.
Both sentences show the same relationship. The first version places the condition before the result.
Add punctuation: Even though the road was wet we arrived on time.
Write: Even though the road was wet, we arrived on time. The comma follows the opening contrast clause.
Avoid using but in the same sentence
Although, though, and even though already introduce contrast. Adding but to the main clause repeats that job. Use one structure or the other.
Although the weather changed, the match continued.
Do not write Although the weather changed, but the match continued. Write The weather changed, but the match continued instead if you choose but.
Correct the sentence: Though it was late, but we stayed to finish the work.
Write: Though it was late, we stayed to finish the work. Remove but because though already marks the contrast.
Use final though only in an informal style
At the end of a short sentence, though can add a relaxed afterthought. This use is common in conversation, messages, and informal comments. Although and even though cannot take this final position.
The seats were expensive. The view was excellent, though.
Final though points back to the expensive seats and adds a contrasting positive fact.
Which word fits at the end? The lecture was long. It was useful, ___.
Use though: The lecture was long. It was useful, though.
Before you go
Remember this
Use although and though for an ordinary contrast between two clauses. Choose even though when the first fact makes the result especially surprising. Keep but out of that same sentence. Save final though for informal writing and speech.
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, though, and even though compared"
Are although and though interchangeable?
In many sentences, yes. Both can introduce a clause that contrasts with the main clause: Although it was cold, we walked home and Though it was cold, we walked home. Although often sounds more formal, while though is common in conversation.
Although the instructions were brief, they answered every question I had.
When should I use even though?
Use even though when the contrast deserves stronger emphasis. It shows that the main result happened despite a fact that might reasonably lead to a different expectation: Even though the hall was full, we found two seats near the door.
The instructions were brief, but they answered every question I had.
Can though come at the end of a sentence?
Yes. In informal English, though can come at the end to add a brief contrast: The café was busy. We found a quiet table, though. Do not put although or even though in that final position.
We continued the walk though the wind became colder.
Do I use but with although or though?
No. Although, though, and even though already mark a contrast, so adding but repeats the connection. Write Although the weather changed, the match continued, or write The weather changed, but the match continued.
Though the wind became colder, we continued the walk.
Where does the comma go with although?
Put a comma after an opening clause that starts with although, though, or even though: Although the museum was busy, we saw every room. When that clause follows the main clause, a comma is usually not needed in a short sentence.
Even though Mila had rehearsed, she felt nervous before the presentation.