Although vs. Albeit
'Although' and 'albeit' are conjunction. 'Albeit' can sometimes replace 'although.' In this lesson, we will learn more about them.
What Is Their Main Difference?
'Although' and 'albeit' are both conjunctions. However, 'although' is followed by a clause, while 'albeit' is followed by a phrase.
Grammatical Structure
While both 'although' and 'albeit' are conjunctions, the grammatical structures of sentences that use them are different. 'Although' is followed by a dependent clause that contains a subject and a verb. 'Albeit', on the other hand, is followed by a noun phrase or an adjective phrase, and it functions as a conjunction that introduces a concessive or limiting phrase. Have a look:
Albeit followed by a noun phrase
Albeit followed by an adjective phrase
Meaning
'Although' is used to introduce a clause that presents a contrast or opposition to the main clause. This contrast is often between two ideas that are seemingly contradictory or opposite. 'Albeit' is used to introduce a clause that expresses a concession or limitation to the main clause. This concession may acknowledge a potential obstacle or limitation to the main clause, but still affirms its validity or relevance. Pay attention to the examples:
He was a good athlete,
Usage
'Although' is a more common and versatile conjunction that can be used in a variety of contexts to introduce clauses expressing contrast or opposition. It is suitable for both formal and informal writing and speech.
'Albeit', on the other hand, is a more formal and less common conjunction that is often used in academic or literary contexts to introduce clauses expressing a concession or limitation. It is not as versatile as 'although', and is less commonly used in everyday conversation.