TKG English Learner's Dictionary

although

althoughconjunction

American /ɔlˈðoʊ/ British /ɔːlˈðəʊ/ The stress is on the second part: awl-THOH. The th is the th of this, not of thin, and the gh is silent.
very commondefining vocabulary

  1. despite the factdespite the fact that

    An although clause gives a fact that makes the main clause surprising. It can come before or after the main clause. Do not add but to the main clause: one of the two words is enough.

    Synonyms though; while

    Compare even though (even though makes the contrast stronger); but (but joins the same two ideas in the other order: It was raining, but we went out); if; despite; in spite of; when

    For translators (sense 1)

    Grammar trap Many languages mark a contrast twice, with one word in each clause. English uses although or but, not both: Although it was late, we stayed, not Although it was late, but we stayed.

  2. butbut; and yet

    In this use the although clause comes second and adds a comment that makes the first statement less strong or less certain. It often follows a comma.

    Synonyms though; but

Choosing between although · though · even though

Although and though mean the same as conjunctions; though is more common in speech, and although is a little more formal (Although the test was hard, I passed). Only though can also come at the end of a sentence (The test was hard. I passed, though). Even though makes the contrast stronger and is used when the fact is surprising (Even though he studied all night, he failed).

Common mistakes

Although it was cold, but we went swimming. Although it was cold, we went swimming.
Use although or but, not both in the same sentence.
It was cold. We went swimming, although. It was cold. We went swimming, though.
Although cannot come at the end of a sentence; though can.

See also despite (before a noun or an -ing form (despite the rain)); however