Quick answer. Use although or though before a full clause with its own subject and verb: Although it was cold, we went out. Though is more conversational and can also appear at the end: The task was difficult. I enjoyed it, though. Do not follow although with only a noun or an -ing form.
- build a complete contrast clause;
- choose between although, though and even though;
- separate clause patterns from despite/in spite of;
- practise punctuation and sentence position.
Although, though and even though
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| although + clause | neutral contrast; common in writing and speech | Although the exam was hard, I passed. |
| though + clause | slightly more conversational | Though I was tired, I kept working. |
| even though + clause | strong or surprising contrast | Even though it was snowing, the flight left. |
| statement, though | informal afterthought meaning however | The room was small. It was comfortable, though. |
When the contrast clause comes first, put a comma after it: Although I disagreed, I listened. When it comes second, a comma is often unnecessary: I listened although I disagreed. Do not use but in the same two-part structure: Although it was late, but we stayed.
Как не спутать although и despite
Русское «хотя» обычно ведёт к although + подлежащее + сказуемое: Although she was tired… Русское «несмотря на» чаще ведёт к despite + существительное/-ing: Despite her tiredness / Despite being tired… Отработать вторую схему можно в despite/in spite of exercises.
Exercise 1: choose although, though or even though
- ___ the bus was late, I arrived on time.
- I liked the film. It was too long, ___.
- ___ she had prepared carefully, she still felt nervous.
- He bought the laptop ___ it was expensive.
- ___ I understand your point, I do not agree.
- The instructions looked simple. They were confusing, ___.
Answers to Exercise 1
- Although / Though / Even though
- though
- Although / Though / Even though
- although / though / even though
- Although / Though
- though
Sentence-final position requires though. Even though is best where the contrast is especially surprising; the neutral options may also be grammatically possible in several items.
Exercise 2: remove the double connector
- Although I was tired, but I finished the report.
- Though the shop was closing, but they served us.
- Even though he trained every day, but he did not win.
- Although the answer was short, however it was clear.
Corrections
- Although I was tired, I finished the report.
- Though the shop was closing, they served us.
- Even though he trained every day, he did not win.
- Although the answer was short, it was clear. / The answer was short; however, it was clear.
Although/though already marks contrast, so the main clause does not need but. However belongs to a different sentence pattern and punctuation system.
Exercise 3: transform despite into although
- Despite the rain, the match continued. → Although ___.
- In spite of being nervous, Mia spoke clearly. → Although ___.
- Despite his lack of experience, he got the job. → Although ___.
- In spite of the fact that it was late, nobody left. → Although ___.
- Despite not agreeing, I accepted the decision. → Although ___.
Model answers
- Although it was raining, the match continued.
- Although Mia was nervous, she spoke clearly.
- Although he lacked experience / Although he was inexperienced, he got the job.
- Although it was late, nobody left.
- Although I did not agree, I accepted the decision.
A good transformation restores an explicit subject and a finite verb. Do not copy the noun phrase after although.
Exercise 4: punctuation and position
- although the hotel was full they found us a room
- the plan worked though it was risky
- the book was useful it was difficult though
- even though I called twice nobody answered
Model punctuation
- Although the hotel was full, they found us a room.
- The plan worked though it was risky.
- The book was useful. It was difficult, though.
- Even though I called twice, nobody answered.
Exercise 5: translate into English
- Хотя я знал правило, я допустил ошибку.
- Мне понравилась поездка. Было холодно, правда.
- Даже несмотря на то, что он очень устал, он не отменил встречу.
Model translation
- Although I knew the rule, I made a mistake.
- I enjoyed the trip. It was cold, though.
- Even though he was very tired, he did not cancel the meeting.
Self-check
You have mastered the contrast if you can write one sentence with a fronted although-clause, one with sentence-final though, and one stronger contrast with even though. Then transform one of them into a despite-pattern and explain why the grammar after the connector changes.
Thirty-second rule
After although/though/even though, look for a subject and a finite verb. After despite/in spite of, look for a noun, pronoun, or -ing form. This structural check is more reliable than translating the connector alone.
Related practice
Continue with despite and in spite of, however and therefore, in order to and so that, conjunctions exercises, subject and object questions, mixed tenses, relative clauses and conditionals exercises.
