Grammar-Quizzes › Connectors › Coordinator / Adjunct Preposition › But vs. Though
But vs. Though
Express failure versus challenge
Compare the use of but to though.
Brian worked in marketing for two years, but lost his job when his company down-sized during the bad economic recession. Brian wants to continue pursuing his career, yet he has several difficulties to face.
Brian's future will depend on his being able to remain optimistic and put his best foot forward. The following are two states of mind:
A but vs. though state of mind
| BUT – AN OBSTACLE / DEFEAT |
|---|
After a statement of intent, but often expresses an obstacle or reason for setback or failure. One action is in contrast/opposition to the next one. |
Brian is focused on obstacles! Brian hopes to find a new job, but few employers are hiring. He stood in line to get into a job fair, but he found nothing in marketing. He also, wants to go to business school, but he has no savings to pay tuition or to support himself while studying. He'd like to get some additional training; however, he's unsure where to get it. Brian doesn't know where to get started. He's letting the obstacles overcome him and keep him from his goals. |
| THOUGH – A CHALLENGE |
|---|
After a statement of intent, though expresses a challenge— an obstacle or difficulty that can be overcome. One action can occur despite the next one. |
Brian is focused on goals! Brian hopes to find a new job though few employers are hiring. He stood in line to get into a job fair although he found nothing in marketing. He also, wants to go to business school though he has no savings to pay tuition or to support himself while studying. He'd like to get some additional training even though he's unsure where to get it. Brian is prepared for the challenge. He is overcoming challenges in order to meet his goals. |
challenge (N) – a difficulty that tests strength, skill, or ability, especially in an interesting way
encourage (V) – inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence
defeat (N) – a difficulty that results in loss or failure; being overcome
discourage (V) – not give courage, spirit, or confidence
down-sized (Adj) – decreased, let go unnecessary workers
face (V) – to deal with or manage a difficult situation
focus (V) – central point of attention
hire (V) – offer a job, employ; (N)
marketing (N) – promoting a business, advertising, and selling
no ifs, ands, or buts (expression) – do not make excuses
obstacle (N) – something that makes it difficult to achieve something; a block
optimistic (Adj) – believing that good things will happen in the future
pessimistic (Adj) – doubtful that good things will happen in the future
put your best foot forward (expression) – do your best
setback (n) – a problem that delays or prevents progress
state of mind (expression) – way of thinking
stuck (Adj) – unable to move away from a bad situation
Cause & Contrast
Express a cause, a contrast, a concession, or a condition
Cause to No Cause & Effect
| CAUSE EFFECT → NO CAUSE-EFFECT | |
|---|---|
REASON (connective prep) effect–cause "for the reason that" |
He's a skilled worker because he applies himself. "for the reason that" The idea in the clause after because adds a reason for the state or situation in the main clause. |
CONTRAST (coordinator) situation–no related cause "however" "except" |
He's a skilled worker but he doesn't apply himself. "in contrast" and "except that" The idea in the in the clause after but adds (coordinates) an exception, a contrary example or idea. |
CONTRAST (connective prep) situation–no related cause "admit a fault" |
He's a skilled worker though he could take a few more courses to improve his skills. (with a small fault that) The idea in the clause after though admits something that does not logically fit with the previous statement—giving in on a point (a fault) that does not follow in logic. See Concession. |
CONCESSION (connective prep) situation–no logical cause "unexpectedly, unexplainably" |
He's a skilled worker though he hasn't had much experience or education. "unexpectedly" The idea in the clause after though expresses an opinion or is action that is a not a logical or an expected response to the situation in other clause—no cause-effect. See Contrary Reasoning. |
CONDITIONAL (adverb) precondition before cause-effect If A then B, if B then C |
You're a skilled worker, and you want me to promote you. I'd like you to do me a favor though. "do this first" I know you want me to take you skiing. It has to snow though. "this must occur first however" Do this first, then the someone/something will occur to cause the desired situation (effect). |
reasoning (N) — the process of forming conclusions, inferences or judgments from facts or propositions
Also see Because (reason) | But (contrast) | Though (concession) | If (conditional)
But vs. Though
Obstacle or Challenge?
But vs. Though
| INTENT | BUT | OBSTACLE |
|---|---|---|
Brian planned on attending a job fair, |
but |
the line to get in wrapped around the block. (It discouraged him..) |
Brian hopes to find another job, |
but |
few employers are hiring. (It's unlikely.) |
Brian expected to get a lead at the Job Fair, |
but |
he found nothing in marketing. (He left disappointed.) |
Brian would like to go back to school, |
but |
he has no savings. (He can't pay and doesn't want to ask his parents.) |
Brian wants to get some additional training, |
but |
he's unsure where to get it. (He's stuck. He's doubtful about taking a first step.) |
| INTENT | THOUGH | CHALLENGE |
|---|---|---|
Brian planned on attending a job fair |
though |
the line to get in wrapped around the block. (He stood in it anyway.) |
Brian hopes to find another job |
though |
few employers are hiring. (He'll find one.) |
Brian expected to get a lead at the Job Fair |
though |
he found nothing in marketing. (He found other options.) |
Brian would like to go back to school |
though |
he has no savings. (He will find other funding or a scholarship.) |
Brian wants to get some additional training |
though |
he's unsure where to get it. (He will check with counselors at the local community college.) |
But is a coordinator.
Though, although, and even though are Connective Prepositions. Grammar terms vary: adverb clauses (Azar 17.3-11); preposition "adjunct of concession" (Huddleston 8 §13.2); conjunction (Swan 49) "subordinating conjunction" (Biber 2.4.8); adverbial clause (Biber 15.39-40). For details, see Connector Review Grammar Notes
Also see Beginning a sentence with "and", "so" or "but" | Pop-Q "Though".
- Azar, Betty Schrampfer, and Stacy A. Hagen. Understanding and Using English Grammar. 4th ed., Pearson Education, 2009.
- Biber, Douglas, and Stig Johansson, et al. Longman Grammar Of Spoken And Written English. Pearson Education, 1999.
- Huddleston, Rodney D., and Geoffrey K. Pullum. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge UP, 2002.
- Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage. 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2005.
Practice
The Interview
Is it an obstacle or a challenge?
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. Include the idea of the words in parentheses.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" or "check 1-10" button.