Learning English

Dan 
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 else out there has a question for Learners’ Questions, you can email us on: learning.english@bbc.co.uk. Please remember to put Learners’ Questions in the subject box and your name and where you’re writing from. We get a lot of emails from a lot of different people, guys, I’m afraid we can’t answer all of them, but we do read every single one. And for more information, you know where to go. Our website, bbclearningenglish.com. That’s it for this week’s Learners’ Questions. I’ll see you next time.