Though and although can replace each other in certain contexts. The reason is that they are both subordinators – or subordinating conjunctions – which are used to join subordinate clauses with main ones. Some grammarians have tried to differentiate between them by saying that while although can start a sentence or clause, though cannot. But this is not a sustainable ‘rule’ because, in theory and practice, both work at the beginning and in the middle of sentences. All of the following statements are, thus, correct:
Although the man is around, I can’t see him yet.
Though the man is around, I can’t see him yet.
I can’t see the man yet although he is around.
I can’t see the man yet though he is around.
From the above, it is clear that although and though are interchangeable when they mean ‘despite the fact that’:
Though we are tired, we will clean the house today.
Although we are tired, we will clean the house today.
Secondly, both can be used to mean ‘but’:
Tinubu will still speak on the subsidy palaver, though I don’t know when.
Tinubu will still speak on the subsidy palaver, although I don’t know when.
In spite of this grammatical cordiality between them, there are some three contexts ‘though’ is used, where ‘although’ is, however, forbidden. In other words, ‘though’ seems to have more utility value than the latter.
Although is not used when ‘though’ means ‘however’:
In this situation, ‘though’ functions as an adverb, in the class of however and nevertheless. It usually appears at the end of the clause:
They have not refunded my money. I don’t care, though. My lawyers are always there for me. (Correct)
They have not refunded my money. I don’t care, although. My lawyers are always there for me. (Wrong)
Asisat was just expressing a fulfilling emotion when she removed her shirt after scoring the goal. I don’t blame her father for condemning the act, though. (Correct)
Asisat was just expressing a fulfilling emotion when she removed her shirt after scoring the goal. I don’t blame her father for condemning the act, although. (Wrong)
When ‘even’ is used with ‘though’
‘Even though’ sounds tautological but it is not. It is an acceptable expression showing emphasis on the point being made. What is, however, unacceptable is ‘even although’:
They haven’t started, even though they threatened to. (Correct)
They haven’t started, even although they threatened to. (Wrong)
As though
This is like saying ‘as if’ but ‘as although’ is an aberration. Unacceptable!
He is dancing as though he is drunk. (Correct)
He is dancing as although he is drunk. (Wrong)
We don’t use ‘but’ with either ‘although’ or ‘though’. As earlier noted, the two are subordinators joining a subordinate clause with a main clause whereas ‘but’ is a coordinator that connects two or more main clauses:
Although he studied hard, but he did not do well in the exam. (Wrong)
Though he studied hard, but he did not do well in the exam. (Wrong)
Although he studied hard, he did not do well in the exam. (Correct)
Though he studied hard, he did not do well in the exam. (Correct)
A comma is not needed immediately after although/though:
Although, he studied hard, he did not do well in the exam. (Wrong)
Though, he studied hard, he did not do well in the exam. (Wrong)
Although he studied hard, he did not do well in the exam. (Correct)
Though he studied hard, he did not do well in the exam. (Correct)
