In my last column about a cat named Trouble, I used the word though several times, particularly in a mid-sentence position, to create contrast (similar to using but or however). This word, which is the shorter and more informal version of although, is extremely common in casual, conversational English, so today I’d like to share a bit more about this useful word.

Though can be used at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence. When it’s used at the beginning, it sounds a little more formal. For example…

• Though the tickets were cheap, we didn’t end up going.

The content of this sentence is fairly casual, but it would sound unusual if spoken aloud because though has been used at the beginning.  

It would be much more natural to say…

• The tickets were cheap, though we didn’t end up going.

Or…

• The tickets were cheap. We didn’t end up going, though.

Note how though can be used at the beginning or in the middle to directly connect two clauses in a complex sentence or at the end of a simple sentence to create a contrast with the previous sentence. 

The reason why this end position is more common in casual spoken English is because it allows speakers to add contrasting information as an afterthought. Speakers don’t always have a plan for what they’re going to say; they speak spontaneously. To use though at the beginning, speakers need to know in advance that they will create a contrast. Using though at the end allows speakers to say something, then think of contrasting information and add it. 

Sometimes it can be challenging for English learners to recognize where the contrast is. For example, look at these sentences from my recent column about Trouble. Can you find the contrast?

“He loves to knock things over, rip things, eat things, and generally make a big mess. He’s never shy, though, and because he’s friendly and always hangs around with people more than any of the other cats, we forgive him for all the trouble he causes… usually.”

Although though is used in the middle of this sentence, it refers back to the first sentence to create a contrast. I said something bad about Trouble in the first sentence, and then used though in the second sentence to create a contrast with something positive. Essentially, I am saying “He causes a lot of problems but he’s not shy.”  

So, while a contrast can be contained within a single sentence, you should keep in mind that when you hear or see though, you may need to think back to something that came before to understand the contrast. Here are two simple examples.

• Though he causes a lot of trouble, we love him. (The contrast is contained within a single sentence.)
• He causes a lot of trouble. We love him, though. (Though refers back to the previous sentence to create a contrast.)

Keep your eyes and ears open for though, notice how it’s used, and see if you can start using it more in your own speaking. It will really help you to sound more natural when speaking casually in English!

Zach