though they may be

USAGE SUMMARY

"though they may be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to contrast a present situation with a past situation, or to express a thought about a hypothetical situation. Example: Though they may be brothers, they don't always agree on how to approach life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This time, though, they may be right.

The New York Times

For stopping lava flows in 1992, though, they may be perfect.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Based on the performances of the last week, though, they may be unstoppable on home soil.

The Guardian - Sport

Follow Oscar Rickett oNowwithough

Vice

Avoid straggly plants, even though they may be in flower.

Independent

China still has capital controls, porous though they may be.

The Economist

My offences – grievous though they may be – are historic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Assert statements are distinct from assertions, though they may be used to enforce assertions.

Cornell University

Creative pursuits do provide all sorts of externalities, difficult to measure though they may be.

The Economist

No more than sapling tied to sapling, oak though they may be, makes an oak.

The New York Times - Books

China and India, infuriating though they may be, are as powerful as America and the EU.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "though they may be" to introduce a contrasting element or concession within a sentence, adding nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "though they may be" in contexts where a simpler conjunction like "although" or "even if" would suffice; overuse can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though they may be" functions as a concessive phrase, introducing a statement that contrasts with or qualifies the main clause. It acknowledges a potential condition or state while still making a separate point. Ludwig provides examples that show its use in academic and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "though they may be" is a grammatically sound concessive phrase used to introduce a contrasting element. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from news, media and academic sources. While relatively infrequent, it is a useful tool for adding nuance to writing by acknowledging potential counterarguments or limitations. Consider alternative expressions like "even if they are" or "although they might be" to vary your sentence structure. Be mindful of overusing it in informal contexts where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although they might be

Replaces "may" with "might", offering a slightly weaker degree of possibility.

even if they are

Emphasizes a condition that does not necessarily negate the main clause.

despite the fact that they could be

Introduces a longer, more formal construction expressing concession.

regardless of whether they are

Highlights that something remains true irrespective of their state.

while it is possible they are

Specifies possibility but does not guarantee that something is true.

even supposing they happen to be

Implies something unlikely but still considered in the statement.

granted that they exist as

Acknowledges the existence of something while still presenting contrast.

assuming their existence as

Bases the statement on the hypothetical existence of the subject.

notwithstanding that they could be

Formally introduces a point that doesn't prevent the main statement.

though it is conceivable they exist

Indicates the possibility that something exists, yet contrasting it.

FAQs

How can I use "though they may be" in a sentence?

Use "though they may be" to introduce a contrasting idea or concession. For example, "Though they may be expensive, these shoes are very durable."

What's the difference between "though they may be" and "although they are"?

Both express contrast, but "though they may be" often suggests a hypothetical or possible state, while "although they are" typically refers to a known or current state. Example: "Although they are siblings, they have very different personalities."

Is "though they may be" interchangeable with "even if they are"?

While similar, "even if they are" emphasizes that the following statement holds true regardless of the condition. "Though they may be" is often a softer contrast. Example: "Even if they are late, we will start without them."

What can I say instead of "though they may be"?

Consider alternatives like "even if they are", "although they might be", or "despite the fact that they are" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.