Speaking Level 3: Although…

Listen to the Lesson
 

 
We use these sentence patterns to talk about something that is surprising, unusual, or unexpected in relation to another thing.

• Although I studied hard for the test, I failed.

This is unexpected and a little surprising. Why? Because if you study hard, then you expect to pass a test. But in this case, the person studied hard but failed.

Although + action/state + unexpected result/action

We can use any verb tense. It depends on the situation.

• Although she doesn’t say it, I know she likes you.
• Although we work together, we don’t know each other well.
• Although Sally and Jon live together, they are not married or dating.
• Although he looks scary, he is really nice.
• Although he makes a lot of money, he always seems to be broke.
• Although it rained, they played soccer.
• Although it is cold today, I think I will go for a run outside.
• Although she is late for work every day, nobody says anything to her.
• Although we work at the same company, we have never spoken to each other.

We can switch the order of the sentence. However, it is more common to use “although” at the beginning of a sentence.

Unexpected result/action + although + action/state

• She doesn’t like me although I am always nice to her.
• They bought a new house although Jon got fired last week.
• Ben can speak English well although he never took a single class.

Sometimes when “although” is used in the middle of a sentence, it has the meaning of “but it is also true that…”. We use this when we know something, but we do not have all of the information.

• We will meet next week although I am not sure which day.
• She has a boyfriend although I don’t know his name.
• My parents have been married for over 30 years although I am not sure exactly how long.
• We will stay at a 5-star hotel although I can’t remember the exact name.

Bonus Tips and Points

1. “Although” has the same meaning as “even though”. “Even though” is used a lot more than “although” especially in speaking. We use the same sentence patterns with “even though”.

• • Although Ben wants to live in New York, he lives in Miami because of his wife.
    (=Even though Ben wants to live in New York, he lives in Miami because of his wife.)

 

• She wants to go to the concert although she has never heard of the band.
  (=She wants to go to the concert even though she has never heard of the band.)

2. We can also use “though” instead of “even though” and “although”.

• Though he tried his best, he didn’t pass the examination.
• Mary is very popular though she is not very nice.
• I am tired though I still want to attend the party.

Real-World English Conversations

A) Although we live together, we don’t like each other.
B) Maybe you two need to speak more, so you can understand each other.
A) We have tried that. Although we have had some serious discussions, we still have a lot of problems.

A) Will she come to the party?
B) She will definitely come although I don’t know what time.
A) Cool.

A) Ben seems like a scary person.
B) Although he seems that way, he is nice. You will like him.
A) Okay. I will take your word for it.

A) You and Gary seem like very good friends.
B) Actually, we have only known each other for two weeks.
A) Two weeks? That’s it.
B) I know it sounds crazy, but although we have only known each other for two weeks, we have a very strong connection. I feel like I have known him for years.

A) How do you get along with your boss if you don’t like him very much?
B) Although I don’t like someone, I can still treat them with respect.
A) That’s a good point.
B) I think that is something at everybody should remember.

Use these free English lessons to learn the most common sentence patterns in the English language. If you learn these sentence and questions well, it will help you speak English well. Study the lessons thoroughly, practice making your own sentences, and come back to review often. If you do these three steps, your English speaking will improve quickly and you will be able to have natural English conversations.

English Sentence Patterns for Speaking Index