though

1.adverbB1

Definition

used to add a statement that contrasts with or limits what has just been said, without changing the overall picture — for example, saying a hotel room was small but still comfortable, adding "though" to keep your earlier judgment balanced.

Example

The hotel room was tiny. It was surprisingly comfortable, though.

adverb "though" at end of sentence

I don't usually enjoy long flights. The service on this one was excellent, though.

contrasting an earlier negative statement

Common collocations

though (end position)
not ... , though

Synonyms

however
more formal and can begin a sentence; 'though' is more conversational and placed at the end
nevertheless
much more formal; used in academic and professional writing, rarely in speech
still
similar in meaning but placed before the verb rather than at the end

Grammar Patterns

placed at the end or in the middle of a clause

Usage Note

This adverb sense always attaches to a complete clause and NEVER begins a sentence — it sounds unnatural in writing to start a sentence with 'though' when you mean 'however'. Use 'however' or 'nevertheless' instead for sentence-initial contrast. In spoken English, 'though' is very common at the end of a sentence to soften a contrast.

Common Mistakes

Though, I don't agree with you.

I don't agree with you, though.

The adverb 'though' usually comes at the end, not the beginning, of a sentence.

Though he was late. He apologized, though.' (two separate sentences with confusing 'though's)

He was late. He apologized, though.

Use 'though' only once in the contrasting clause.

1.conjunctionB1

Definition

used to say that something is true or happens even when another fact suggests it should not be — for example, going for a walk though the rain was falling, or enjoying a film though the ending was sad.

Example

Though the rain was falling, the children ran straight to the playground.

contrary expectation: rain → stay inside, but they went out

Jisoo accepted the job offer though the salary was lower than she had hoped.

though + clause in mid-sentence (no comma)

Common collocations

even though
though + clause
Adjective + though

Synonyms

although
identical in meaning; 'although' is slightly more formal and preferred in academic writing
even though
stronger emphasis on contrast; suggests the obstacle was more significant
despite the fact that
more wordy and formal; used in careful writing to introduce a noun phrase

Antonyms

because
introduces a reason rather than a contrast

Grammar Patterns

though + clause

Adjective/Adverb + though + Subject + Verb

Usage Note

This sense can appear in an inverted structure: 'Adjective / Adverb + though + Subject + Verb' (e.g., 'Strange though it may seem'). This is more formal and literary. Some learners confuse this sense with the adverb sense — remember that the conjunction connects two clauses within a single sentence; the adverb adds a contrast across two separate sentences.

Common Mistakes

Though I was tired. I still went to the gym.' (sentence fragment)

Though I was tired, I still went to the gym.

'though' at the head of a clause makes it dependent; it cannot stand alone.

Even I was tired though I went.

Though I was tired, I went.' or 'Even though I was tired, I went.

'even though' is also correct but has a stronger concessive meaning; don't mix the structures.

2.conjunctionB1

Definition

used to attach a clause that offers a detail which slightly reduces the force or weight of what was just said — for example, saying you will help, though you cannot promise anything, which admits the limitation without cancelling the offer.

Example

I'll try to come to the party, though I can't promise anything.

softening the earlier promise with a limitation

Walid agreed to help with the move, though he was not sure about the timing.

Common collocations

though + clause (afterthought)
comma + though

Synonyms

but
more direct and neutral; 'though' sounds softer and more tentative
yet
slightly more formal and emphatic than 'though'
however
more formal; usually begins a new sentence rather than connecting clauses

Grammar Patterns

though + clause

Usage Note

Distinguish from conjunction sense 1 (DESPITE THE FACT): sense 1 presents a real obstacle that the main clause overcomes; sense 2 adds a minor contrasting point that weakens but does NOT contradict the main clause. Example: 'Though it rained, we went' (sense 1 — rain was an obstacle). 'We went, though it rained a little' (sense 2 — rain is an afterthought, not an obstacle overcome).

Common Mistakes

Though, I'll try to come.' (using 'though' as an adverb at the start instead of the conjunction)

I'll try to come, though I can't promise.

Use the conjunction to connect two clauses in one sentence, not as an adverb beginning a new sentence.

3.conjunctionB2

Definition

used to describe the way something looks, sounds, or feels, suggesting a situation that may not be actually true — for example, someone who acts as though they own the place, when really they are just a guest.

Example

Marcus looked at me as though he had never seen me before in his life.

as though + past perfect for unreal past

Tariro spoke as though she had known the project inside out from day one.

Common collocations

as though
look as though
act as though
feel as though

Synonyms

as if
fully interchangeable with 'as though'; 'as if' is slightly more common in everyday speech
like
informal equivalent, very common in American English ('It looks like it will rain')

Grammar Patterns

as though + clause

as though + Subject + Past Tense

Usage Note

In this sense, 'though' is almost always paired with 'as' to form 'as though', which is interchangeable with 'as if'. 'As though' is slightly more common in British English. After 'as though', a past tense often signals that the situation is unreal or imagined (past subjunctive), while a present tense suggests a real possibility. Example: 'She acts as though she knows him' (maybe she does) vs. 'She acts as though she knew him' (she doesn't).

Common Mistakes

He acts though he owns the place.' (missing 'as')

He acts as though he owns the place.

The 'as' is required; 'though' alone cannot mean 'as if'.

It looks as though it would rain.' (overcomplicated)

It looks as though it might rain.' or 'It looks as though it will rain.

Use simple modals.

Idioms

as if | as though

idiom

Used to describe a situation that appears to be true or to compare something to an imagined situation.

Maya looked at me as if she had seen a ghost.

It sounds as though Brian is not coming to the party.

even though/if

idiom

Used to introduce a fact that makes the main statement surprising or unlikely.

Even though it rained, Sara still went for a run.

Diego finished the project even if he was very tired.

Word family

although
conjunctionB1
as though
phraseB2
even though
phraseA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: conjunction/1

'Though', 'although', and 'even though' all introduce a concessive clause — one that states a fact that might suggest the opposite of the main clause. 'Although' is slightly more formal and is preferred in academic and professional writing, while 'though' sounds more natural in everyday speech and can also be used as an adverb (a role 'although' cannot fill). 'Even though' adds emphasis, suggesting the obstacle was significant or surprising: compare 'Though it rained, we went' (neutral) with 'Even though it rained, we went' (the rain was heavy or unexpected). 'Despite the fact that' is the most formal option and requires a full clause; it is common in legal and official writing. 'Whereas' is different — it draws a direct contrast between two parallel facts rather than conceding an obstacle. For example: 'Whereas my brother loves spicy food, I prefer mild dishes' (two parallel preferences). 'Though my brother loves spicy food, I still offered to cook a mild dish' (I set aside his preference to accommodate others). For learners: use 'though' in conversation, 'although' in essays, and 'even though' when you want to stress how strong the contrast is.

although ↗even thoughdespite the fact thatwhereas ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

even though
as though

Phrases

even though (strengthened concessive)
as though (as if)
just though (informal, 'just though I'd ask')

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Though comes from Old English 'þēah', meaning 'though' or 'yet', which traces back to Proto-Germanic '*þauh'. Its ancient relatives include German 'doch' (still, yet, however) and Dutch 'toch' (nevertheless). The word has been used in English for over a thousand years with the same core meaning of introducing a contrast or concession — one of the few everyday words that have barely changed since the time of Beowulf.

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though

though — adverb

1. used to add a statement that contrasts with or limits what has just been said, w

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

though — conjunction

1. used to say that something is true or happens even when another fact suggests it

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. used to attach a clause that offers a detail which slightly reduces the force or

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. used to describe the way something looks, sounds, or feels, suggesting a situati

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

as if | as though

even though/if

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

Etymology

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