Although means “in spite of the fact that”. It introduces a fact that you might expect to prevent what the main part of the sentence says: Although it was cold, we swam in the sea. “Although” can start the sentence or come in the middle, after a comma. It works in essays and in everyday speech alike, and in conversation people often use the shorter “though”.
How would you use although?
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Although + clause, + clause; clause, although + clause; though + clause (less formal)
- Although tourism brings money to local communities, it can also damage the natural environment.
- Many people say they support recycling, although few of them sort their rubbish at home.
- Although I was exhausted, I stayed up to watch the end of the match.
What changed
First versionAlthough the flat is small, but it is very comfortable.
RevisionAlthough the flat is small, it is very comfortable.
It may feel natural to mark the contrast twice, with “although” at the start and “but” in the middle. In English, “although” already links the two parts, so there is no room for a second linking word. Remove “but” and keep the comma.
“Although” and “despite” have similar meanings, but “although” is followed by a full clause with a subject and a verb, while “despite” is followed by a noun or an -ing form. Compare: Although it was raining, we went out. Despite the rain, we went out.
Your turn
___ the train was forty minutes late, we arrived at the wedding on time.
Show the answer
Although — After the gap comes a full clause with a subject and a verb: the train was late. A clause like this is introduced by “although”. “Despite” would work before a noun: Despite the delay.
Write about a purchase that turned out well even though you had doubts at first. Start with Although and say what worried you.
Although the second-hand bike looked old and rusty, it has taken me to work every day for two years.
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