Can You Start a Sentence with “Although?”

Grammar / By

You most definitely can start a sentence with the word “although.” However, you have to understand there are correct and incorrect uses for its application. While this isn’t difficult, it is easy to make a mistake if you aren’t careful.

Regardless, it’s a great way to start a sentence and change up your language. It helps reduce redundancies, expand your ability to communicate ideas, and solidify your command of the English language.

“Although” in Grammar; Meaning

“Although” is a conjunction that can mean: “despite how,” “even though,” “in spite of the fact that” or “aside from how.” Conjunctions in English serve to connect ideas, phrases, and words. In the case of “although,” it’s conditional. This means something has to occur with exceptions to something else.

How to Use “Although” to Start a Sentence

Because “although” presents a conditional in its role as a conjunction, its use at the beginning of a sentence requires quantification. This means there must be some cause before or after the appearance of the word.

Also, avoid using “although” with a comma (,). This will make your sentence a fragment. However, in some very rare circumstances, it’s perfectly acceptable.

Regardless, you should only use this sparingly and sparsely when starting a sentence with “although.” This is because it can get very repetitive and make writing (or conversation) incredibly boring for your audience.

Acceptable/Unacceptable Examples

  • Acceptable: Although politicians lie through their teeth, people still believe they tell the truth.
  • Acceptable: Although he never liked it, Peter tolerates the hardships of his job.
  • Unacceptable: Although, Nicholas doesn’t prefer it.

Mnemonic Device

To ensure you’re using “although” correctly, replace any of the synonyms for “although” to see that they fit.

Although politicians lie through their teeth, people still believe they tell the truth.

In spite of the fact that politicians lie through their teeth, people still believe they tell the truth.

Despite how politicians lie through their teeth, people still believe they tell the truth.

Aside from how politicians lie through their teeth, people still believe they tell the truth.

Even though politicians lie through their teeth, people still believe they tell the truth.

Conclusion

You can definitely begin a sentence using the conjunction, “although.” But you have to be careful that you don’t end up creating a fragment. This isn’t very difficult, but it is easy to make a mistake.

 

Conor
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