What Is Their Main Difference?

The main difference between 'although' and 'however' is in their parts of speech is that 'although' is a conjunction and 'however' is an adverb.

Parts of Speech

Although

'Although' is a conjunction. It is classified as a concession subordinating conjunction. Have a look:

Example

Although I asked him to stay, he left.

Although he speaks Spanish well, his first language is Japanese.

However

'However' is a conjunctive adverb. It is used to join main clauses or to modify a clause. For instance:

Example

The movie was expensive to make. However it failed in the box office.

I have a lot of work to do; however I promised my mother that I would help her.

Meaning

'Although' and 'however' show that something has happened in spite of a hurdle. In other words, they express the meaning 'but' and 'despite.' Watch:

Example

I want to go outside, although it is raining.

I want to go outside. However, it is raining.

Take another look at the examples illustrated above. As you can see, while both are conveying the meaning 'but,' 'although' suggests that the decision of going outside has notbeen finalized but 'however' suggests that the decision is finalized.

Position in a Sentence

One of the most important differences between 'although' and 'however' is that 'although' can be used at the beginning or the middle of a sentence. 'However' can be used at the beginning or the end of a new sentence. Have a look:

Example

Although it is raining, I want to go outside.

Here, 'although' is placed at the beginning of the sentence.

I want to go outside, although it is raining.

Here, 'although' is placed at the middle of the sentence.

I want to go outside. However, it is raining.

Here, 'however' is placed at the beginning of the second sentence.

I want to go outside. It is raining, however.

Here, 'however' is placed at the end of the second sentence.

Comments

(6)
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Naw Myat Phoo Pwint Thaw
Jul 2025
Explaining is very clean and I also understand them.
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Kong Visal
Aug 2024
I want to go outside. However, it is raining. We use a comma after However.
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Langeek
Aug 2024
Thanks for the feedback! You are correct! We fixed it.
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Daniel
Jul 2024
I took this sentence from this page "Although he speak Spanish well, his first language is Japanese. " I think there is a mistake. it should be " Although he speaks Spanish well..."
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Langeek
Jul 2024
Thanks for the feedback! We fixed it.
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Sultan Alammar
May 2023
thank you so much i have an english final exam tomorrow and this helped me so much!
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