What is although? Pronunciation and usage in English

although means . Learn how to pronounce and use although through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of although

althoughconjunction

/ɔːlˈðəʊ//ɒlˈðəʊ/
Definition & pronunciation of although

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "although." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound (and the biggest challenge):

  • The "ough" sound is the key. It's not pronounced like "off" or "tough." It’s a sound that doesn’t really exist in many other languages. It’s often described as a short, muted "aw" sound, almost like you're saying "aw" but with a slight catch in your throat. Think of it as a very quick, almost whispered "aw."

2. Syllable Breakdown:

  • al - pronounced like the word "al" in "alright" (short 'a' sound).
  • though – This is where the difficulty lies. It’s broken down into two parts:
    • th – Pronounced like "th" in "thin" or "this."
    • ough – (as described above: a short, muted "aw" sound).

3. Putting It Together:

The whole word is pronounced: awl-though (with that quick "aw" sound in "though").

4. Tips and Considerations:

  • Don't overemphasize the “aw”: It shouldn’t be a long, drawn-out “aw.” It's a quick, subtle sound.
  • Listen to native speakers: This is the most important thing. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "although" into Google Translate and listen to the pronunciation.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/although/ – This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce although" on YouTube – you’ll find many audio examples.
  • Practice slowly: Start by saying "al" and "though" separately, then slowly blend them together.

Here's one more approximate phonetic transcription (for reference, but don’t rely on this solely):

/ˈɔːlθoʊ/

(where: /ˈɔːl/ is "awl" and /θoʊ/ is "though" - the 'θ' is the "th" sound as in "thin")

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Some accents might slightly change the pronunciation.)

Usage and examples with the word although in English

Let's break down how to use "although" in English. It's a versatile conjunction (a word that connects clauses) that expresses a contrast or concession – meaning even though something is true, something else is also true.

1. Basic Structure & Meaning

The most common structure is:

  • Although + [clause expressing a concession/contrast] + [main clause]

This means: "Even though [the concession], [the main point] is true."

2. Examples – Showing the Contrast

  • Although it was raining, we still went for a walk. (The rain is a concession, but the walk still happened.)
  • Although she was tired, she finished her homework. (Tiredness is a concession, but she completed her work.)
  • Although he’s rich, he lives a simple life. (Wealth is a concession, but a simple lifestyle is his reality.)
  • Although I studied hard, I didn’t get the grade I wanted. (Studying is a concession, but the lower grade remains.)

3. Using "Although" with Subordinate Clauses

The part of the sentence after "although" is called a subordinate clause. It depends on the main clause for its meaning. It often starts with a subordinating conjunction like "although," "because," "since," "while," "if," or "when."

4. Important Note: "Though" is a Contraction

"Though" is simply a shorter, more informal version of "although." They are interchangeable in most contexts.

  • Although = Though

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Incorrect: “Although it was raining, I went for a walk.” (This is grammatically incorrect. It needs a comma before the main clause.)
  • Correct: “Although it was raining, I went for a walk.”

6. Adding Emphasis with Commas

If the subordinate clause is long and complex, you usually separate it with a comma:

  • Although the weather was exceptionally cold and windy, we decided to hike.

7. Variations in Meaning – Subtle Differences

While the core meaning is contrast, “although” can sometimes subtly indicate that the concession is surprising or unexpected:

  • “Although he’s an experienced doctor, he sometimes makes mistakes.” (There’s a slight surprise or acknowledgment of an exception to the rule.)

8. Let's Practice!

Here are some sentences for you to try:

  • ________ she is shy, she performs beautifully on stage.
  • ________ he studied all night, he didn’t pass the exam.
  • ________ the movie was long, we enjoyed it.

Answers to Practice:

  • Although
  • Although
  • Although

Resources for Further Learning

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more example sentences?
  • Create a short exercise for you to practice?
  • Explain how "although" differs from other words that express contrast (like "but," "however," or "despite")?

Synonyms for the word although

Practice with vocabulary although

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. __________ it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.
  2. She wanted to attend the meeting; __________, she had other commitments.
  3. __________ he is young, he has a lot of experience in the field.
  4. The project was completed on time, ___________ the team faced many challenges.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word(s) can complete the sentence? "__________ the weather was bad, we enjoyed the trip."
    a) Although
    b) However
    c) Despite
    d) Because

  2. Which word(s) can complete the sentence? "He failed the exam, __________ he had studied hard."
    a) Although
    b) Despite
    c) Even though
    d) Whereas

  3. Which word(s) can complete the sentence? "__________ the high cost, the product is very popular."
    a) Although
    b) Even though
    c) Despite
    d) However

  4. Which word(s) can complete the sentence? "She is very talented, __________ she doesn’t get many opportunities."
    a) Although
    b) Despite
    c) Nevertheless
    d) Because

  5. Which word(s) can complete the sentence? "__________ they arrived late, they didn’t miss the main event."
    a) Although
    b) Even though
    c) Despite
    d) Whereas

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Despite the traffic, we arrived on time.
  2. He is very successful, but he remains humble.
  3. Even though she was tired, she finished the project.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. Although
  2. however
  3. Although
  4. although

Exercise 2:

  1. a) Although, c) Despite
  2. a) Although, c) Even though
  3. c) Despite
  4. a) Although, c) Nevertheless
  5. a) Although, b) Even though

Exercise 3:

  1. Although there was traffic, we arrived on time.
  2. Although he is very successful, he remains humble.
  3. She finished the project despite being tired.

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