Jeremy’s English Tips Episode #26: The difference between but, though, and although

In this episode, I am going to teach you about the difference between these three words: but, though, and although. These three words technically mean the same thing, but the way that they are used is different. And they have some very subtle differences. Subtle differences are very small, hard to notice differences. So, I will do my best in this episode to explain those to you and then to give you some examples. All right, so let’s start with “but.” Now, the word “but” is a word we use to negate something. “Negate” is a rather difficult word, but it is related to the word “negative.” So, to negate something means to put an X on it, to cancel out that other thing, or to say the opposite. For example, “I like apples, but I don’t eat them often.” Notice in this example, that the word “but” is in the middle of the sentence, and it comes after a verbal pause. “I like apples – pause – but I don’t eat them often.” This verbal pause shows up in writing as a comma.  So if you are a Culips premium member, and you are following along right now with the study guide, you will see the comma on the page there.  So the word “but” we can say means “complete negation”. Key points covered in this episode * “But”, “though”, and “although” are three words that mean something very similar in English but have some subtle differences. * “But” indicates a complete negation and is usually used after a comma, in the middle of a sentence. * “Though” is usually used at the end of a sentence and indicates a partial negation. * “Although” is used at the beginning of the sentences and has the same meaning as “though” * In speech, “but” and “though” can be used at the beginning of a sentence Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.