What is though? Pronunciation and usage in English

though means . Learn how to pronounce and use though through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of though

thoughconjunction

/ðəʊ/
Definition & pronunciation of though

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "though." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown, focusing on the key elements:

1. The Core Sound: /ðəʊ/ (like "thoe")

  • "th" sound: The "th" in "though" is pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative. This means your tongue isn’t touching the roof of your mouth. It’s similar to the "th" in "think" or "this." It's a breathy "th."
  • "o" sound: The "o" sounds like the "o" in the word "toe" or "go." It's a short, rounded vowel sound.

2. Putting it Together: /ðəʊ/

So, the entire word is pronounced roughly as: "thoe" – with a slight emphasis on the "thoe" part.

3. Key Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "thoo": This is the most common mistake! Many people try to pronounce the "ough" with a long "oo" sound.
  • Short “o”: Really focus on a short, crisp “o” sound.
  • Voice: Make sure you’re producing a voiceless "th." If you can feel your vocal cords vibrating, you're pronouncing it with a voiced "th" (like in "this").

4. Hearing it is Best!

The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. Here are some resources:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a beginner English learner, or do you have some experience?
  • What sounds are you finding particularly tricky in English pronunciation in general?

Usage and examples with the word though in English

Let's break down how to use the word "though" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few different functions, often confused! Here's a detailed explanation:

1. "Though" as a Contraction of "Although"

  • Most Common Usage: In informal speech and writing, "though" is almost universally used as a shortened form of "although." It means "even though" or "despite."

    • Example: "I was tired, though I wanted to go to the party." (Meaning: Even though I was tired, I wanted to go to the party.)
    • Example: "She failed the exam, though she studied hard." (Meaning: Despite studying hard, she failed the exam.)

2. "Though" as a Conjunction (Like "Although") – Formal Usage

  • Formal Writing and Speech: "Though" is still considered grammatically correct in formal writing and speeches, but you'll often see "although" used instead. It connects two clauses, usually with a contrast.

    • Structure: "Though + [Clause 1] + [Clause 2]"
    • Example: " Though it was raining, we went for a walk." (Clause 1: it was raining, Clause 2: we went for a walk)
    • Example: " Though he is wealthy, he is not happy." (Clause 1: he is wealthy, Clause 2: he is not happy)

3. "Though" as an Adverb (Less Common)

  • Meaning: Sometimes "though" can be used as an adverb, meaning "nevertheless" or "however," indicating a contrast or limitation. This usage is less frequent.

    • Example: "He tried his best, though he didn't succeed." (Meaning: Nevertheless, he didn't succeed.)
    • Example: "I understand your point, though I disagree." (Meaning: However, I disagree.)

Key Differences & When to Choose:

Feature Although Though (Contraction) Though (Adverb)
Formality More Formal Informal Rarely Informal
Usage Connects clauses Connects clauses Expresses contrast
Example "Although it was cold" "Though it was cold" "Though, it's late"

Important Notes:

  • Capitalization: When using "though" as a conjunction (meaning "although"), it's not capitalized unless it's the first word of a sentence.
  • Consistency: Once you decide to use "though" as a contraction, stick with it throughout your writing or speech.

Let's Practice!

Here are a few sentences. How would you rewrite them using "though" (as a contraction of "although") or "although"?

  1. I didn't like the movie, even though it was popular.
  2. She was busy, however, she helped me with my homework.
  3. He worked hard, nevertheless he failed the test.

Would you like me to:

  • Answer your practice questions?
  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific usage of "though" in more detail?

Synonyms for the word though

Idioms of the word though

as if | as though
in a way that suggests something
  • He behaved as if nothing had happened.
  • It sounds as though you had a good time.
  • It's my birthday. As if you didn't know!
  • ‘Don't say anything.’ ‘As if I would!’ (= surely you do not expect me to)
even though/if
despite the fact that
  • I like her, even though she can be annoying at times.

Practice with vocabulary though

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The security audit uncovered several minor vulnerabilities; ________, the system's overall integrity was deemed robust.
  2. The company made significant investments in automation; ________, many entry-level positions were eventually phased out.
  3. The proposed merger presents considerable risks, ________ the potential for market expansion is undeniable.
  4. The quarterly report showed a slight dip in sales; ________, customer satisfaction scores remained consistently high.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The development team encountered unexpected technical issues; ____, they managed to launch the new platform on schedule. a. however b. though c. even so d. as a result
  2. ____ the CEO's strong objections, the board approved the new acquisition strategy. a. Though b. Despite c. Although d. Even though
  3. The presentation ran over its allotted time; the audience, ____, remained highly engaged and asked insightful questions. a. however b. though c. nevertheless d. therefore
  4. Some economists predict a recession next year; ____, others foresee continued steady growth. a. although b. however c. whereas d. even if
  5. ____ the project faced numerous challenges, the team achieved all key objectives. a. Though b. Even though c. Despite the fact that d. In spite of the fact that

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Despite their limited resources, the startup developed an innovative marketing campaign. Rewrite, using "though":
  2. Although the initial findings were promising, further research is required to validate the hypothesis. Rewrite, using "though" at the end:
  3. He worked diligently for months on the proposal, but it was ultimately rejected. Rewrite, without using "though" or "although":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. though
  2. consequently (or therefore)
  3. though
  4. however

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a. however, b. though, c. even so
  2. b. Despite
  3. a. however, b. though, c. nevertheless
  4. b. however, c. whereas
  5. a. Though, b. Even though, c. Despite the fact that, d. In spite of the fact that

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The startup developed an innovative marketing campaign, though they had limited resources. (or Though they had limited resources, the startup developed an innovative marketing campaign.)
  2. The initial findings were promising; further research is required to validate the hypothesis, though.
  3. He worked diligently for months on the proposal; nevertheless, it was ultimately rejected. (or He worked diligently for months on the proposal; however, it was ultimately rejected. / Despite his diligent work for months on the proposal, it was ultimately rejected.)

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