though,although
Though作连接词时,表示“虽然”、“尽管”之意,与另一连词although相同,但在使用场合上有所不同。
(一)although的语势比though强,大都用于正式的文体,指已成立的事实;though的语势较弱,一般指设想和假定的情况。例:
He wouldn't take an umbrella although it was already raining.
虽然当时已在下雨,他还是不愿意拿雨伞。
He wouldn't take an umbrella though it should rain cats and dogs.
虽然有可能会下大雨,他还是不愿意拿雨伞。
在西方,不少学者认为,although是though的强调式,正如until是till的强调式;upon是on的强调式一样。
(二)although在句中大都放在句首的位置,如放在句中(如上面一例),则表示强调的意味;though放在句首和句中均可(如上面一例,可将though it should rain cats and dogs移至句首)。though若要加强语势时,可将位置移后,例如:
Though he is young,…改为 Young though he is,…;
Though he is poor,…改为Poor though he may be,…;
但不能用although。
(三)although 只能作连词使用;though除作连词外,还可用作副词,表示“然而”、“但是”等义,这时候,though一般放在句末。例:
Annie's grandfather loves to smoke.And he likes beer too.It's impossible for him to live to be 100.It was true,though.
安妮的祖父喜欢抽烟,又喜欢饮啤酒,他不可能活到一百岁,然而,这却是真的,他活到了一百岁。
值得注意的是,中国学生由于受汉语“虽然…但是…”的影响,常犯though(although)之后与but连用的错误。见下例:
Though be was ill,but he went to school.(错)
Though he was ill,he went to school.(对)
如果说话人一定要强调“但是”之意,可以在he went to school之前加个副词yet。
另一点要注意的是,词组as though、even though的though不能改作although,因为它们是固定词组。
在近代英语中,though作连词使用时,与although 的差别已有日渐缩小的倾向,一般说来,though比although使用得普遍得多。