Although is a subordinating conjunction. It is used to connect two clauses expressing contrasting ideas. Note that though and although are interchangeable. Though is less formal than although.

When clauses beginning with although / though come at the beginning, we separate them from the main clause with a comma.

• Although the company refuses to admit it, they are going out of business.
• The company is going out of business although they refuse to admit it.

Common mistakes

The conjunctions although, but, yet and still have more or less the same meanings. We can use only one of these conjunctions to connect two clauses.

• Although he is ill, he is cheerful. (NOT Although he is ill, but he is cheerful.)
• He is ill, but he is cheerful.
• He is ill yet he is cheerful.
• He is ill; still, he is cheerful.

We can also express similar ideas using despite and in spite of. Note that despite and in spite of are prepositions. They are followed by a noun or ing form.

• In spite of being ill, he is cheerful.
• Despite his illness, he is cheerful.
• Despite having a lot of money, he does not donate.

Though and Although Worksheet

Combine the following sentences using though or although.

1. I ran as fast as I could. I could not finish first.

2. The girl tried her best. Still, she did not get the first rank.

3. He was very tired. Yet, he finished the work.

4. My grandfather is very old. He enjoys good health.

5. The cops ran fast. They could not catch the thief.

6. The doctors treated her well. Yet, they could not save her.

7. He started early. He reached school late.

8. She possessed all the qualifications. She did not get the job.

9. I had some money with me. I didn’t buy anything.

10. The lawyer presented his arguments well. He lost the case.

Answers

Rewrite as directed.

1. Although she is rich, she is humble. (Rewrite using however.)

2. Although he owns several cars, he walks whenever he can. (Rewrite using but)

3. Although he is not educated, he is wise. (Rewrite using yet)

4. Although I offered to pay for his drink, he refused it. (Rewrite using however)

5. Although I was annoyed, I said nothing. (Rewrite using yet)

6. Although they are rich and famous, they have no peace of mind. (Rewrite using in spite of)

7. Although I have known him since our school days, we are not exactly close friends. (Rewrite using however)

8. Although she is not very rich, she generously gives to charities. (Rewrite using despite)

Answers

1. She is rich; however, she is humble. (However is not a conjunction. Put a full stop or a semicolon before however; put a comma after however.)

2. He owns several cars, but he walks whenever he can.

3. He is not educated, yet he is wise.

4. I offered to pay for his drink; however, he refused it.

5. I was annoyed, yet I said nothing.

6. In spite of being rich and famous, they have no peace of mind.

7. I have known him since our school days; however, we are not exactly close friends.

8. Despite not being very rich, she generously gives to charities.