although

although — conjunction

1. used to introduce a fact that makes the other part of the sentence seem surprisi

1.conjunctionB1
Definition

used to introduce a fact that makes the other part of the sentence seem surprising or unexpected; the speaker accepts the first fact is true but still says the second one happens.

Example

Although Gita was tired, she finished her homework before bed.

although + clause at sentence start, comma before main clause

The little boy ate the whole pizza, although he had a stomach ache afterwards.

main clause + although + clause for adding a contrasting fact

Common collocations
  • although + past tense for past contrasts
  • although + adjective phrase (informal: 'although tired')
Synonyms
  • though

    more informal, common in speech; can also end a sentence ('I'm tired, though')

  • even though

    stronger emphasis on the contrast; the surprise feels bigger

  • while

    softer concession, often signals a polite acknowledgement before disagreeing

Antonyms
  • because

    introduces a reason rather than a contrast

Grammar Patterns

although + clause, + main clause

main clause + although + clause

Usage Note

Never pair 'although' with 'but' in the same sentence. English uses ONE connector per pair of clauses, unlike Chinese 雖然…但是. Choose either 'although X, Y' or 'X, but Y' — not both.

Common Mistakes

Although she was tired, but she kept working.
Although she was tired, she kept working.
drop 'but'; English already shows the contrast through 'although'.
Although it rained but the picnic was fun.
Although it rained, the picnic was fun.
Chinese 雖然…但是 doublet does not transfer to English; use only one connector.
Although tired.
Although she was tired, she kept going.
'although' must introduce a full clause with a subject and verb, not a fragment.

2. used after a statement to add a piece of information that makes the first part l

2.conjunctionB1
Definition

used after a statement to add a piece of information that makes the first part less complete or less strong, often a small qualification the speaker just thought of.

Example

I think Farouk will join the trip, although I haven't asked her yet.

although + clause adds a softening qualification after a statement

The new bakery is wonderful, although the cookies are a little too sweet for me.

limiting comment that narrows the previous praise

Common collocations
  • although I'm not sure
  • although I haven't checked
  • although it depends
Synonyms
  • but

    more direct; lacks the softening, afterthought feel of 'although' here

  • though

    the most natural informal swap for this limiting use

Grammar Patterns

[statement] + , although + clause

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: here 'although' adds an afterthought-style qualifier and the clause almost always comes AFTER the main statement. In sense 1 the 'although' clause may come first and the contrast is sharper.

Common Mistakes

The film was great although.
The film was great, although the ending felt rushed.
this sense still needs a full following clause; use 'though' if you want a sentence-final tag word.

Word family

  • though
    conjunctionA2
  • even though
    conjunctionB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: conjunction/1

All four conjunctions introduce a contrasting clause, but they differ in register and emphasis. 'Although' is the neutral, slightly more written choice and works in essays, news, and careful speech. 'Though' is its informal twin: identical meaning, but more common in conversation, and uniquely it can sit at the end of a clause ('It was cold, though'). 'Even though' adds emotional weight — the contrast feels stronger or more surprising, as in 'Even though she trained for a year, she lost the race.' 'While' softens the contrast and often opens a polite acknowledgement before a disagreement, as in 'While I see your point, I still disagree.' For learners: pick 'although' as the safe default, swap to 'even though' when you want to highlight surprise, and reserve 'while' for measured, formal contrasts.

although ↗though ↗even thoughwhile ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • although in fact
  • although admittedly
  • although of course

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in Middle English by joining 'all' (used as an intensifier meaning 'fully' or 'even') with 'though'. Around the 14th century the two words fused into a single conjunction, and the strong intensifier sense gradually faded, leaving today's neutral concessive meaning that is roughly interchangeable with 'though'.