Is Though A Conjunction? 5 Facts (When, Why & Examples)

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Conjunction is a very important part of speech in the English language. Here we will explore whether the word “though” is a conjunction

The word “though” is a conjunction. Conjunction is any word that is primarily used for joining, connecting or linking two or more phrases, clauses, sentences or even words together. The word “though” means in spite or despite of something.

We will go through some of the most important and interesting facts about the word “though” as a conjunction.

When is “though” a conjunction

We already know that the word ‘though’ can function as a conjunction, so, here, we will find out when is “though” used as a conjunction.

The word “though” is a conjunction when it performs the role of joining or linking the subordinate clause and the main clause into a one single sentence. The conjunction “though” can be placed either in the beginning or in the middle of the sentence to portray the contrast between the clauses.

ExamplesExplanations
1. Though we worked hard for this proposal, we failed to get the approval of the client.Main Clause: we failed to get the approval of the client
Subordinate Clause: though we worked hard for this proposal

Here, the word “though” is placed at the beginning of the sentence and is performing the role of a conjunction as it is joining the dependent clause with the independent clause.

The conjunction “though” is showing the contrast of working hard and yet failing.
2. I love my sister very much, though she irritates me a lot.Main Clause: I love my sister very much
Subordinate Clause: though she irritates me a lot.

In this sentence, the word “though” is placed at the middle of the sentence and is taking up the role of a conjunction since it is linking the main clause and subordinate clause.

The usage of conjunction “though” shows us the contrast of “I” loving the sister in spite of being irritated by the sister.
When is “though” a conjunction

Why is “though” a subordinating conjunction

Here we will discuss why the word “though” is a subordinating conjunction and not a coordinating conjunction.

Any conjunction that introduces a dependent clause is a subordinating conjunction.  The conjunction “though” is a subordinating conjunction since it introduces the subordinate clause, thereby connecting it with an independent clause (main clause).

Example: Though Rupali was suffering from fever, she attended her classes.

Main Clause: she attended her classes

Subordinate Clause: though Rupali was suffering from fever

Subordinate Conjunction: though

In the above sentence, the word “though” is functioning as a conjunction. To be more particular and specific it is a subordinating conjunction since the subordinate clause starts with “though”, which means “though” is introducing the subordinate clause “though Rupali was suffering from fever” thereby connecting it with the main clause “she attended her classes”.

Examples of “though” as subordinating conjunctions

Let us now understand more about the usage of “though” as subordinating conjunctions by going through a few examples.

The table consists of various sentences where the word “though” is used a subordinating conjunctions.

ExamplesExplanations
1. Though the movie was slow, it was quite interesting.Main Clause: it was quite interesting
Subordinate Clause: though the movie was slow
 
The conjunction “though” is here showing the contrast of the movie being slow and yet being interesting
2. Ruhi helps the needy, though her income is less.Main Clause: Ruhi helps the needy
Subordinate Clause: though her income is less
 
The usage of conjunction “though” shows us that in spite of having less income, Ruhi helps the needy.
3. Though we spoke very softly, the baby woke up.Main Clause: the baby woke up
Subordinate Clause: though we spoke softly
 
The usage of “though” conveys the contrast of speaking softly and the baby waking up.
4. Your presentation was impressive, though you missed a few points.Main Clause: your presentation was impressive
Subordinate Clause: though you missed a few points
 
The usage of conjunction “though” shows us that despite missing a few points, the presentation was impressive.
5. Her dress, though very bright and colorful, looked good on her.Main Clause: her dress looked good on her
Subordinate Clause: though very bright and colorful
 
The usage of “though” conveys the contrast of the dress being very bright and colorful and yet looking good on her.
Examples of “though” as subordinating conjunctions

When is “though” not considered as conjunction

Though the word “though” is a conjunction, it is not a conjunction always. Here we will see when “though” is not functioning as a conjunction.

The word “though” is not considered as a conjunction at places when it is functioning as adverbs by giving us additional information about an action word (verb), another adverb or an adjective. At such places it is not doing the job of linking words, clauses, phrases or sentences.

Example: Today’s class was too long. It was somehow informative though.

In the above sentence, the word “though” is definitely not a conjunction since it does not connect or join anything. Instead “though” here is functioning as an adverb since it is modifying the adjective ‘informative’.

Examples of “though” not considered as conjunctions

Now we already know that the word “though” can also function as yet another part of speech other than conjunctions. Let us understand it better with examples.

The table below consists of example sentences where the word “though” is not considered as conjunctions.

ExamplesExplanations
1. We lost the competition; it was tough game, though.Here the word “though” is not a conjunction, but is instead functioning as an adverb which is modifying the describing word (adjective) “tough”.
2. I have never tasted this flavor of ice cream; I would love to, though.In this sentence, the word “though” is not a conjunction, but is instead taking up the role of an adverb since it is modifying the action word (verb) “would love”.
3. The problem is quite difficult; I would solve it, though.In this sentence, the word “though” is not considered as a conjunction, as it is not used for the purpose of connecting anything. Here “though” is taking up the role of an adverb since it is modifying the action word (verb) “would solve”.
Examples of “though” not considered as conjunctions

Conclusion

This article thus clearly makes us understand how, why, and when the word “though” is used as a conjunction in sentences.