Grammar: B1 - ✨ Grammar Essentials: 🧩 Parts of Speech & 🏗️ Sentence Structure - Lesson 8: Conjunctions of Contrast (although, though, even though, but - review)

Grammar: Conjunctions of Contrast

B1 Lesson 18: Using 'Although', 'Though' & 'Even Though'

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to connect contrasting or surprising ideas using 'although', 'though', and 'even though' with the correct punctuation.

Connecting Contrasting Ideas

You already know how to use 'but' to connect two opposite ideas. The words although, though, and even though do a similar job, but they make your writing sound more advanced. They are all used to introduce a surprising contrast.

• Although is common in both speaking and writing.
• Even though is a little stronger and more emphatic than 'although'.
• Though is the most common in informal speaking.

The Punctuation Rule 📖

The Comma Rule (Very Important!)

The punctuation changes depending on where the conjunction is in the sentence.

Position	Rule	Example
At the Beginning	Use a comma ( , ) after the first clause.	Although it was raining, we went to the temple.
In the Middle	Do NOT use a comma.	We went to the temple although it was raining.

'Although' vs. 'But'

'But' connects two separate, complete sentences. 'Although' makes one part of the sentence (a clause) dependent on the other. This changes the sentence structure.

Conjunction	Sentence Structure & Example
but	[Sentence 1] , but [Sentence 2]. The tour was long, but it was interesting.
although	Although [Clause 1] , [Clause 2]. Although the tour was long, it was interesting.

In Conversation

Let's see how these words are used in a natural conversation.

Nita: How was your trip to the coast?

Piseth: It was great! Although the bus ride was very long, the beaches were beautiful.

Nita: Did you go swimming? I heard the water is cold.

Piseth: Yes, we went swimming even though the water was a bit cold. It was very refreshing. The food was expensive, though.

Practice Your Grammar 🎯

Exercise: Combine the Sentences

Combine the two ideas into one sentence using the word in parentheses ( ). Remember the comma rule!

1. The food was delicious. It was very expensive. (even though)
   → The food was delicious even though it was very expensive.
2. He studied very hard. He did not pass the exam. (Although)
   → Although he studied very hard, he did not pass the exam.
3. She doesn't have much experience. She got the job. (though)
   → She got the job though she doesn't have much experience.
4. It was a sunny day. We stayed inside to work. (Even though)
   → Even though it was a sunny day, we stayed inside to work.

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

Describe a Contrast

Write two sentences about your own life or experiences using 'although' or 'even though'. One sentence should have the conjunction at the beginning, and one should have it in the middle.

Key Vocabulary

• Conjunction of Contrast (Phrase) | ឈ្នាប់បង្ហាញភាពផ្ទុយគ្នា
  A word that connects two opposite or surprising ideas.
• Clause (Noun) | ឃ្លា
  A group of words with a subject and a verb, forming part of a sentence.