I'm a bit confused about using the word though. It's often
used at the end of a sentence. For example:
The
house isn't very nice. I like the garden though.
Can
you help me out and explain the usage of this word?
Roger
Woodham replies:
'though'
as conjunction
We
normally think of though as a conjunction introducing a contrastive
statement, and as the less formal and less forceful equivalent of
although and even though. Compare the following:
Even
though it was suffocatingly hot, she was wearing a thick woollen
sweater.
Although
she was very fond of him, she had no intention of marrying him.
We
could try to phone her before we go, though we might miss
the train if we do.
'though'
as adverb
But
in your example, Tamas, though is used as an adverb as the less
formal equivalent of however. We use though and however
when we want to add a comment that seems to contradict or contrasts
with what has already been said. As in your own example, Tamas,
though often indicates an afterthought. Compare the following:
I
performed so well at interview I thought I would get the job.
However, it was not to be.
The
economic outlook is not very good. However, I can assure
you that nobody will lose his job.
I’m
sorry, I can’t stay for lunch. I’ll have a coffee, though.
What
a lovely sunny day! ~ There’s a chilly wind, though,
isn’t there?
as
though / as if / like
Like
though, as though and as if are subordinating
conjunctions. We use as if or as though when we want
to give an explanation for something which may not be correct:
She
looked at me as if / as though I were mad.
Take
an umbrella. It looks as if / as though it’s going
to rain.
I
can’t understand why she’s so keen on him. It’s
not as if / as though he’s good-looking or
anything.
In
spoken informal English, particularly American English, we sometimes
substitute like for as if and as though:
She
looked at me like I was stupid.
It
looks like it’s gonna rain.
Strictly
speaking, like, meaning similar to, is a preposition
which can only be followed by a pronoun, noun or noun phrase. So,
if you want to be grammatically correct, make sure you use like
in this way:
Like
all good curries, it was served with fresh coriander and nan bread.
Like
me, she refuses to work after six o’ clock in the evening.
On
the phone you sound just like your mother. In fact, I always
think it is your mother.
