‘Although’: Sentences, Usage, and Examples

“Although” joins two ideas that seem to clash: it introduces a fact, and the rest of the sentence says something surprising in spite of it. Although it was raining, we went for a walk. It must be followed by a full clause (a subject and a verb), and it is never used together with “but” in the same sentence. When the “although” clause comes first, put a comma after it; when it comes second, the comma is optional. Below are more than 60 example sentences grouped by use, the rules learners trip over, and how “although” compares with “though”, “even though”, “despite” and “however”.

The rules in 30 seconds

• Although + subject + verb. Although she was tired, she finished the report. Not: Although tired of work… (see the shortened form below for the one exception).
• Two positions. Although it was late, we stayed. / We stayed although it was late.
• Comma. Use one after the clause when it starts the sentence. At the end, a comma is optional; many writers add one when the contrast is strong: We stayed, although it was late.
• Never with “but”. Although it was cold, but we swam is wrong. Choose one: Although it was cold, we swam. or It was cold, but we swam.
• Not on its own. Although I like him. is an incomplete sentence (a fragment). Attach it to a main clause.

Examples: a surprising result

This is the core use. The main clause says something you would not expect, given the “although” clause.

1. Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
2. Although he had studied for weeks, he failed the exam.
3. Although the restaurant was full, they found us a table.
4. Although she is only twelve, she speaks three languages.
5. Although the film got bad reviews, it was a huge hit.
6. Although I set two alarms, I overslept.
7. Although the car is old, it has never broken down.
8. Although they live next door, we hardly ever see them.
9. Although the test was easy, many students ran out of time.
10. Although he says he hates football, he never misses a match.
11. The team lost, although they played well.
12. She kept smiling, although she was clearly upset.
13. We enjoyed the trip although the hotel was terrible.
14. He accepted the job although the pay was low.
15. The bridge is still standing, although it was built in 1820.

Examples: admitting one point, stressing another

Here “although” gives ground (“yes, this is true”) before the point that matters more. It is common in opinions, reviews and essays.

16. Although the phone is expensive, its battery lasts for days.
17. Although I see your point, I still think we should wait.
18. Although the book is long, every chapter is worth reading.
19. Although social media can connect people, it can also make them feel lonely.
20. Although the plan has risks, it is the best option we have.
21. Although many people disagree, I think the decision was fair.
22. Although it isn’t perfect, the new system is a big improvement.
23. Although she can be strict, students love her classes.
24. The flat is small, although it is very bright.
25. The service was slow, although the staff were friendly.

Examples: “although” meaning “but” at the end of a sentence

In conversation, “although” (and more often “though”) can add a second thought that softens or corrects what was just said. Here it means roughly “but”, and a comma before it is normal.

26. I’ll come to the party, although I can’t stay long.
27. The museum is free, although you have to book a ticket online.
28. He’s very clever, although he’s not good at explaining things.
29. I think the shop opens at nine, although I’m not completely sure.
30. You can borrow my bike, although the brakes are a bit weak.
31. The soup was good, although it needed more salt.
32. It’s a great city to visit, although I wouldn’t want to live there.

Examples with different tenses and modals

“Although” works with any tense. The two clauses do not need to match.

33. Although I have lived here for ten years, I still get lost. (present perfect + present)
34. Although he will be busy, he has promised to call. (future + present perfect)
35. Although we had left early, we missed the train. (past perfect + past)
36. Although she was working full-time, she was studying at night. (past continuous)
37. Although you may not agree, please listen. (modal)
38. Although it might rain, the match will go ahead.
39. Although I would love to help, I can’t this weekend.
40. Although they could have taken a taxi, they walked.
41. Although the shop is closing next month, it is still busy.
42. Although he’s been ill, he’s in good spirits.

Examples by topic

School and work

43. Although the homework was optional, everyone did it.
44. Although our manager is new, she already knows everyone’s name.
45. Although the meeting was short, we made several decisions.
46. Although I prefer working from home, I go to the office on Mondays.

Health and daily life

47. Although I go to bed early, I always feel tired.
48. Although he gave up sugar, he still eats fruit.
49. Although the doctor told her to rest, she went back to work the next day.
50. Although the shop was closed, the owner let us in.

Travel and weather

51. Although the flight was delayed, we arrived in time for dinner.
52. Although it was sunny, the wind was freezing.
53. Although we didn’t speak the language, people were very helpful.
54. Although the beach was crowded, the water was clear.

People and feelings

55. Although they argue a lot, they are best friends.
56. Although she was nervous, her speech went well.
57. Although I was angry, I didn’t say anything.
58. Although he rarely shows it, he cares a lot about his family.

The shortened form: although + adjective or -ing

When both clauses have the same subject, formal writing sometimes drops the subject and “be” after “although”:

• Although tired, she kept going. (= Although she was tired…)
• Although small, the room was comfortable. (= Although it was small…)
• Although expecting bad news, he stayed calm.
• Although not perfect, the plan is workable.

This only works when the missing subject is the same as the main clause’s subject. Although tired, the meeting continued is wrong, because the meeting was not tired.

Although, though, even though, despite, however

You can turn any “although” sentence into the others: Although the traffic was heavy, we arrived on time. → Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time. → The traffic was heavy. However, we arrived on time. → The traffic was heavy, but we arrived on time.

Although, while and whereas

“While” and “whereas” can also introduce a contrast, but they are used a little differently.

• While can replace “although” at the start of a sentence: While I understand your concern, I can’t change the rule. Be careful, because “while” also means “at the same time as”: While I was cooking, the phone rang. If the sentence could be read both ways, “although” is clearer.
• Whereas compares two different facts side by side, without any surprise: My brother loves maths, whereas I prefer history. Using “although” here would wrongly suggest that one fact makes the other unexpected.

A quick test: if you can put “but surprisingly” in the main clause, “although” fits. If you are simply listing a difference, choose “whereas”.

Although in essays and formal writing

“Although” is one of the most useful words in an argument, because it lets you mention the other side before giving your own view. Notice how each sentence admits a point and then answers it:

59. Although renewable energy is more expensive to install, it costs less to run over time.
60. Although the study was small, its results match those of earlier research.
61. Although the author makes some strong points, the second half of the book is weaker.
62. Although the law was passed in 2010, it was not enforced until much later.
63. Although critics called the design ugly, the building is now one of the city’s landmarks.

In essays, put the point you want the reader to remember in the main clause. Although the plan is cheap, it is risky leaves the reader thinking about the risk; Although the plan is risky, it is cheap leaves them thinking about the cost.

Common mistakes

The fifth row is a mistake of meaning rather than grammar: “although” signals a contrast, so the two clauses must actually pull in different directions. Being rich and being generous do not clash, so the sentence sounds wrong to a native speaker.

Practice

A. Join the sentences with “although”.

1. The museum was crowded. We enjoyed it.
2. He is very rich. He drives an old car.
3. I left on time. I was late for the interview.

B. Correct the mistake.

4. Although she was ill, but she went to school.
5. Although the noise, I fell asleep.
6. Despite he was young, he was the leader.

Quick answers

Do you put a comma before “although”? Not usually when it begins the second half: We went out although it was cold. Add one if the clause is an afterthought or a strong contrast: We went out, although it was cold. Always put a comma after an “although” clause that starts the sentence.

Can you start a sentence with “although”? Yes, as long as the sentence also has a main clause.

What is the difference between “although” and “though”? They mean the same. “Though” is more informal and can also come at the end of a sentence.

What type of word is “although”? A subordinating conjunction: it introduces a dependent clause of concession.

Related: sentences with “however”, sentences with “but”, sentences with “despite”, sentences with “because” and what a clause is.