Use “though” like a native speaker.

What you learned

Though is a little word, but you hear it all the time. Here is everything from the video, with my examples.

1. 1

   Though = but, at the end

   • It’s cold though.

   Though means the same as but, and it goes at the end of the sentence. Native speakers say it all the time.

   ▶ It’s cold though.
2. 2

   A good thing, then a problem

   • The hotel is beautiful. It’s expensive though.
   • I love this city. It’s very busy though.
   • This coffee is great. It’s cold though.
   • Nice phone. Too big though.

   First say the good thing. Then say a small problem. Then add though.

   ▶ The hotel is beautiful…
3. 3

   A problem, then a good thing

   • We lost the game. We played well though.
   • It rained all day. The food was great though.
   • I failed my test. I can try again though.

   This time the problem comes first. Then say a good thing, and add though.

   ▶ We lost the game…
4. 4

   Answer a friend, softly

   • “Let’s go for a walk.” “It’s far though.”
   • “Let’s eat here.” “It’s expensive though.”
   • “The film was boring.” “The music was good though.”
   • “He’s a great teacher.” “He’s always late though.”

   Your friend says something, and you don’t agree. But sounds strong, like a wall. Though sounds soft and nice.

   ▶ Let’s go for a walk…
5. 5

   Say it: /ðəʊ/

   • though
   • go
   • no
   • so

   TH: your tongue touches your teeth, and the sound vibrates. The GH is silent. Though sounds like go, no and so.

   ▶ though
6. 6

   Not the same sound

   • tough
   • thought
   • through
   • enough

   These words have OUGH too, but the sound is different. English is crazy, I know!

   ▶ thought
7. 7

   Short and low

   • It’s cold though.
   • It’s expensive though.
   • It’s late though.

   Your voice goes down on though. Say it softly. A high, strong though sounds angry.

   ▶ It’s cold though.
8. 8

   Never although at the end

   • ✓ It’s cold though.
   • ✗ It’s cold although.

   Many students make this mistake. Although can never go at the end. We almost always put it at the start.

   ▶ It’s cold though.

Why do native speakers love though? We say the main thing first. The problem comes after, like a small note at the end. It is softer than but.

In text messages, people often write tho. It is the same word. “How was the film?” “Nice tho.”