English UsageComparison guide

All Though vs. Although

“Although” is a single subordinating conjunction. Writing “all though” for that conjunction is a word-boundary error, although the separate words “all” and “though” can occasionally appear next to each other for unrelated grammatical reasons.

Quick answer

Use “although” as the conjunction meaning “despite the fact that.” “All though” is not an alternative spelling of that conjunction.

Key details

Confusion Familyword boundary and spelling
Rule Familyconjunction spelling
Termsalthough, all though
Variant Scope“Although” is the single-word subordinating conjunction. “All though” is not an alternative spelling of that conjunction; the two words can occur separately only when syntax independently calls for “all” and “though.”

Further guidance

Core difference

Use the single word “although” when you mean “despite the fact that” or introduce a concessive subordinate clause.

Fast Test

If the phrase can be replaced by “even though” at the start of a concessive clause, write “although” as one word.

Usage Boundary

Do not automatically join every adjacent “all” and “though”: they can occur as separate words when each has its own grammatical job, but that is not a variant spelling of “although.”

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. ALTHOUGH — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Direct dictionary and grammar evidence for although as a single subordinating conjunction.
  2. THOUGH — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Direct dictionary and grammar evidence for though as a conjunction/adverb, supporting the boundary between although and separate all + though sequences.

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