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Though In a Sentence

To use "though" in a sentence, place it to introduce a contrast or condition. It can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence to connect two ideas that may seem contradictory. For example, "I’m tired, though I’ll keep working."

What Does "Though" Mean?

"Though" is a versatile word with two primary functions: as a conjunction and as an adverb.

As a conjunction, it connects two contrasting ideas within a sentence. For example:

"I wanted to go out, though it was raining."
"She enjoys swimming, though she’s not very fast."

As an adverb, "though" often appears at the end of a sentence, adding a sense of contradiction or exception to the previous statement:

"It’s cold outside. I’ll go for a walk, though."
"He’s not very talkative. He’s friendly, though."

Using "Though" in Different Parts of a Sentence

One of the unique features of "though" is its flexibility in sentence placement. It can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, with each position slightly changing the emphasis or tone.

Beginning: Starting a sentence with "though" emphasizes the contrast right from the start.

"Though it was late, she continued working."
"Though he’s tired, he still wants to go out."

Middle: Placing "though" in the middle of a sentence often makes the contrast feel more integrated into the sentence.

"She continued working, though it was late."
"He still wants to go out, though he’s tired."

End: Using "though" at the end of a sentence creates a slight pause before introducing the contrast, adding a conversational tone.

"She continued working. It was late, though."
"He’s tired. He still wants to go out, though."

Common Sentence Structures with "Though"

"Though" is primarily used to introduce contrasts, making it a powerful tool for connecting two seemingly contradictory ideas.

Simple contrast:

"The project was challenging, though rewarding."
"He was tired, though he kept running."

Contradictory expectations:

"Though the meeting was long, it was productive."
"Though the instructions were unclear, she completed the task perfectly."

Expressing conditions:

"I’ll join you, though I’m not sure I can stay long."
"Though I’m busy, I can help you for a few minutes."

Common Mistakes with "Though"

Using "though" correctly can be tricky, especially for non-native speakers. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

Misplacing "though": The placement of "though" can change the meaning or tone of a sentence. For example:

Incorrect: "Though he’s tired, still wants to go out."
Correct: "Though he’s tired, he still wants to go out."

Overusing "though": While "though" is useful, overusing it can make your writing or speech feel repetitive or awkward.

Incorrect: "Though I’m tired, though I’ll help you, though I have work to do."
Correct: "Though I’m tired, I’ll help you because I have work to do."

Confusing "though" with "although" or "even though": These words are similar, but "though" is generally more informal and can be placed at the end of a sentence, which "although" and "even though" cannot do.

Incorrect: "I’ll go for a walk, although."
Correct: "I’ll go for a walk, though."

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of "though," try these exercises:

Complete the sentences:

"I enjoyed the movie, __________ the ending was a bit predictable."
"__________ it was expensive, they decided to buy the car."
"He’s very intelligent. He can be a bit arrogant, __________."

Correct the mistakes:

"Though she is very busy, but she still finds time to read."
"It’s cold outside, although I’m going for a walk."
"I’ll help you, though I’m tired though."

Rewrite the sentences using "though":

"The food was delicious, but the service was slow."
"She’s shy, yet she gave a great presentation."
"It’s late, but I’ll finish the report."

Answers to Practice Exercises