Joining Two Sentences With Though And Although

Synthesis is the process of combining two sentences into one.

We can combine two sentences using the conjunctions though and although. Both these words have the same meaning; however, though is more common than although in an informal style.

Though means in spite of the fact that or however.

Study the example given below.

Meera tried her level best. Still she could not win the first rank.

Here the second sentence contrasts with the first size. If Meera tried her level best, you would expect her to win the first rank, but she didn’t.

We can combine these two sentences using though or although.

Although Meera tried her level best, she could not win the first rank. (Note that we removed the word ‘still’.)

Though Meera tried her level best, she could not win the first rank.

The clause introduced by though/although can go after the main clause.

Read the sentence given below.

Meera could not win the first rank although / though she tried her level best.

Though and although are subordinating conjunctions. Clauses introduced by them are subordinate clauses and should be attached to a main clause. Subordinate clauses can’t stand alone.

Exercise

Combine the following sentences using though or although.

1. He is very old. But he enjoys good health.

2. He was very tired. Yet he completed the work.

3. The constable ran as fast as he could. Still he could not catch the thief.

4. The doctors gave her the best medical care. Still they could not save her.

5. Raju left home early. But he was late for school.

6. Maya had the required qualifications. Still she did not get the job.

7. I had some money on me. But I didn’t buy anything.

8. Our cricket team played well. But they lost the match.

9. He was annoyed. He didn’t say anything.

10. She is rich and famous. Still she is unhappy.

Answers

1. Though he is very old he enjoys good health. / He enjoys good health although he is very old. (Note that though and although are interchangeable.)

2. Though he was very tired, he completed the work.

3. Though the constable ran as fast as he could, he could not catch the thief.

4. Although the doctors gave her the best medical care, they could not save her.

5. Though Raju left home early, he was late for school.

6. Although Maya had the required qualifications, she did not get the job.

7. Although I had some money on me, I didn’t buy anything.

8. Though our cricket team played well, they lost the match.

9. Although he was annoyed, he didn’t say anything. / He didn’t say anything though he was annoyed.

10. Though she is rich and famous she is unhappy. / She is unhappy though she is rich and famous.

Notes

When a subordinate clause comes at the beginning of the sentence, we usually separate it from the main clause with a comma.