What is the Difference Between Although and Though?

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The main difference between "although" and "though" is that "though" can be used as an adverb, while "although" cannot. Both words are subordinating conjunctions, meaning they introduce a subordinate clause that contrasts or clarifies the preceding main clause. Here are some key points about their usage:

  • Although: This word means "even though" or "in spite of the fact" and is used as a conjunction. It is generally considered more formal than "though". For example: "Although it was raining, they decided to go for a walk."
  • Though: This word also means "in spite of the fact" but can be used as both a conjunction and an adverb. As an adverb, it contrasts with the preceding statement. For example: "He wanted to go swimming, though it was cold outside."

In some cases, "although" and "though" can be interchangeable, such as when they are used as conjunctions to introduce a contrasting clause. However, they cannot be interchanged when "though" is used as an adverb at the end of a sentence. For instance, "I went to the gym, although I was extremely tired" and "I went to the gym, though I was extremely tired" are both correct, but "I went to the gym, though" is incorrect.

Comparative Table: Although vs Though

The main difference between "although" and "though" is that "although" is used as a conjunction and "though" can be used as both a conjunction and an adverb. Here is a table summarizing the differences between "although" and "though":

Feature Although Though
Meaning Even though or in spite of the fact Despite the fact
Usage Conjunction Conjunction and Adverb
Example Although Jerry was sick, he went to work Sam went to school though he was suspended

Both words are used to introduce a subordinate clause that contrasts with the main clause in a sentence. When used as conjunctions, they can be interchangeable in most cases. However, "though" can also be used as an adverb, which makes it more versatile than "although".