How to use 'though' - Learners' Questions

Hi guys! Dan here from BBC Learning English with this week's Learner Question. Find out

what it is after this.

OK! This week's learner question comes from Tamas from Hungary, who says: I'm a bit confused

about using the word 'though'. It's often used at the end of a sentence. For example:

This house isn't very nice. I like the garden though. Can you help me out and explain the

usage of this word? Tamas, I’d be delighted.

So, we normally think of 'though' as a conjunction introducing a sub-ordinate clause which contrasts

with a main clause. It’s the less formal version of 'although' and 'even though'. And

as conjunctions, all three sit at the beginning of the sub-ordinate clause. For example: Although

she was very fond of him, she had no intention of marrying him. Even though she was very

fond of him, she had no intention of marrying him. And, though she was very fond of him,

she had no intention of marrying him. The poor guy!

However, in in your example, Tamas, 'though' is used as an adverb, and it is the less formal

version of 'however'. 'Though' and 'however' can be used when we want to add a comment

which contradicts or contrasts with something that has just been said. This is called an

afterthought. For example: I’m sorry, I can’t stay for lunch. However, I’ll have

a cup of tea. Or, I’m sorry, I can’t stay for lunch. I’ll have a cup of tea, though.

Do you see?

Finally, let’s talk about 'as though'. Like 'though', 'as though' is a subordinating conjunction.

We use it when we give an explanation of something which may not be correct. For example: It

looks as though it’s going to rain.

I hope that answers your question Tamas. Thank you very much for writing to us. If anybody

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week’s Learners’ Questions. I’ll see you next time.