Though means “although”; at the end of a sentence, it means “however” or “all the same”. At the start or in the middle of a sentence, though means the same as although but sounds less formal: Though it was late, we kept working. At the end, after a comma, though adds a point that contrasts with what was said before: The flat is tiny. It's cheap, though. This use is found mainly in conversation and informal messages.
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Though + clause, + clause; clause, though + clause; …, though. (at the end, spoken)
- Though the new policy reduced traffic, it was unpopular with local shop owners.
- Online courses are cheaper, though they require a lot of self-discipline.
- The interview was stressful. I think it went well, though.
What changed
First versionThe film was very long. I enjoyed it, although.
RevisionThe film was very long. I enjoyed it, though.
Though and although mean the same, so it seems they can be swapped anywhere. But at the end of a sentence, in the sense of “however”, only though is possible. Although always introduces a full clause and never stands on its own at the end. So although was replaced with though.
In the middle of a sentence, though works as a conjunction and joins two parts with a comma: The job pays well, though the hours are long. However can't do this: it needs a full stop or a semicolon before it. In an essay, it is better to drop though at the end of a sentence and start the next sentence with However.
Your turn
The flat is quite small, ___ it gets plenty of sunlight.
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though — The two parts are joined by a single comma, and there is no comma after the gap. Joining them like this is a job for though. In the middle of a sentence, however needs a semicolon before it and a comma after it: small; however, it gets.
Write two sentences about a place where you lived or spent a holiday. In the first, name a drawback; in the second, name a good point and end it with though.
Our flat in Sochi was a long way from the sea. The view from the balcony was amazing, though.
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