The conjunction although is used to connect two contrasting ideas.

• She is beautiful. She is not very popular.

If she is beautiful we would expect her to be popular but that is not the case here.

• Although she is beautiful she is not very popular.

Because shows the reason.

• She couldn’t walk. She injured her leg.
• She couldn’t walk because she had injured her leg.

Conjunctions worksheet

Fill in the blanks with although or because.

1. …………………… it rained a lot, we enjoyed the holiday.

2. I didn’t get the job ……………………  I lacked the necessary qualifications.

3. We cancelled the picnic ……………………… it was raining heavily.

4. She came to my party ……………………. I hadn’t invited her.

5. She came …………………… I invited her.

6. ……………………. she was not feeling well, she continued working.

7. We arrived late …………………… the traffic was bad.

8. ………………………… the house wasn’t very good, it had a beautiful garden.

9. …………………… I talk to her often, I don’t know her name.

10. …………………… my leg was injured, I managed to walk home.

Answers

1. Although, 2. because, 3. because, 4. although, 5. because, 6. although, 7. because, 8. although, 9. although, 10. although

Notes

We can use though instead of although. These words are interchangeable; however, though is less formal than although.

• Although he eats a lot, he does not gain much weight. / Though he eats a lot, he does not gain much weight.

We can use but instead of although.

• He eats a lot but he does not gain much weight.

We use just one conjunction to connect two clauses. Do not use two conjunctions.

Use but or although. Don’t use them both in the same sentence.

It is also possible to express these ideas using however.

• He eats a lot; however, he does not gain much weight.

However should be preceded by a full stop or a semicolon and followed by a comma.