While, Although, Though
Watch four videos using while, although, and though in conversation.
Conversation 1
Woman: What do you think of the new cold medicine that the medical journal recommends?
Man: I'm a little skeptical. While some tests were done in clinical trials, I still think more research needs to be done with it.
Woman: It agree with that, though it was tested with a trusted laboratory.
Man: True, but I'd like to see more data on it, before giving it my seal of approval.
Woman: So, I guess we're not going to give it to customers just yet.
Man: No, not yet. Let's hold off a little longer until we have more information about it.
Woman: Sounds prudent. I think that's the right decision for now.
Conversation 2
Man: Hello, can I ask you some questions about this washing machine?
Woman: Sure, I don't know too much about it, but I can try.
Man: Well, my main concern is that it is worth the price.
Woman: Yes, it is a bit pricey, although it does come with a three-year warranty.
Man: Yeah, still, I think I want to shop around. I think I can find it cheaper elsewhere.
Woman: That's understandable. However, while other stores might have cheaper prices, they likely won't have free delivery, and free installation.
Man: OK, you've changed my mind. I'll take it.
Woman: Great! Please follow me to the register.
Conversation 3
Woman: Thanks for meeting me during your lunch break.
Man: My pleasure. I usually eat at my desk anyway.
Woman: Well, while I don't usually hold meetings this way, I find casual meetings often to be the most productive.
Man: Agreed. So what would you like to talk about?
Woman: I would like to talk about sales projections for next financial quarter.
Man: Well, while the economic forecast does not look great, I still think we can increase sales next quarter.
Woman: I like your positive attitude, although I think we should keep modest expectations.
Man: That's understandable. Let me pull up my data and show you what I've got.
Conversation 4
Man: So, how is job hunting going
Woman: Good. I have a few offers. One from a big bank.
Man: That's great. I hear they pay high salaries.
Woman: Yes, but while the pay is great, the hours are very long and the job is stressful.
Man: Yeah, that's expected. What about the other job?
Woman: The other job is from a small startup in the health industry.
Man: Oh, that sounds interesting. How is the pay?
Woman: Well, while the pay's not as great, the work seems interesting and I could be helping others.
Man: Well, it sounds like your mind is made up.
Woman: Yes, but it's hard to pass up all that money.
Vocabulary - Key Words and Phrases
Conversation 1
Skeptical - having doubts about something.
Clinical trials - research experiments to check if a product or medicine is safe.
Seal of approval - an endorsement or confirmation of its acceptance or reliability.
Hold off - delay or wait before making a decision or starting something.
Prudent - acting with care regarding a decision.
Conversation 2
Worth the price - having benefits or value equal to the amount paid for something.
Shop around - compare prices and options before making a purchase.
Warranty - A document that promises a product will work or it can be refunded or replaced.
Delivery - when a company takes a product to a person's work or home.
Installation - when a company sets up a product so a customer can use it.
Changed my mind - to make a person change their feelings about something.
I'll take it - A phrase to express a customer will buy something.
Register - the checkout area in a store where people pay for things.
Conversation 3
Casual - relaxed and not formal
Sales projections - estimates of how much product that a company will sell.
Economic forecast - predictions about the economic conditions in the future.
Financial quarter - a period of three months regarding money such as sales and revenue.
Modest expectations - to not have high anticipations about future outcomes.
Pull up my data - to access information on a screen or monitor.
Conversation 4
Job hunting - the process of looking for employment.
Startup - a new and relatively small business.
Pass up - decline or refuse an opportunity, especially when it seems attractive.
Your mind is made up - when a person makes a decision and likely will not change it.
Hard to pass up - difficult to decline or resist because of its attractiveness.
While, Although, Though
- While most gyms are expensive, they can help people stay healthy and reduce medical costs.
- Though traveling can be daunting, it is a great way enrich a person’s life.
- Although the class was boring, it was very useful.
The conjunction ‘while’ can show concession. The conjunction appears at the beginning of the sentence.
- While I like most Thai dishes, this one dish is too spicy for me.
- While the movie was very long, it was very interesting.
- While the city can be expensive for young people, it is a fun place to live.
The conjunction while has different uses, which can be confusing.
- While working from home is convenient, it is boring. (Concession)
- While working from home, I gained a lot of weight. (During)
- While cooking can be fun, it takes a lot of time. (Concession)
- While cooking, I burned my hand. (During)
The conjunction ‘while’ that appears mid-sentence always means ‘during’.
- I hurt my hand while I was playing football.
The conjunction ‘although' can show concession. The conjunction can appear at the beginning or middle of the sentence.
- Although we were late to the meeting, we didn’t miss anything important.
- You can drive to the beach, although parking might be hard to find.
- Although fast food is unhealthy, it is cheap, convenient and tasty.
The conjunction ‘though’ can show concession. The conjunction can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence.
- Though the dish is a bit salty, it is really delicious.
- His book was very hard to read, though it was quite short.
- This software isn’t very easy to install. It is easy to use, though.
Notice that if though is used at the end of the second sentence, then the sentences are separated with a period, not a comma.
Gap Fill: Complete the conversation with the correct word!
