though we were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "though we were" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or concession in a sentence, often indicating that something is true despite a certain condition. Example: "Though we were tired from the long journey, we decided to explore the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now, though, we were growing impatient.

The New York Times

In Rennes, though, we were a novelty.

The New York Times - Travel

Chiefly, though, we were thinking of ourselves.

The New York Times - Magazine

In this, though, we were frustrated ourselves.

The New York Times

This time, though, we were able to understand why.

Harvard Business Review

Today, though, we were circling high above it all.

The Guardian

When we got here, though, we were just shocked".

The New York Times - Sports

Clearly, though, we were in no position to be too picky.

The New York Times

At the same time, though, we were hearing stories about a country divided.

Forbes

Tonight, though, we were here to see the arcades.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But my father worked hard, even though we were poor.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "though we were" to introduce a clause that contrasts with or qualifies the main statement in your sentence. This creates a sense of surprise or unexpectedness. For example: ""Though we were tired", we continued our journey."

Common error

Avoid using ""though we were"" without a complete contrasting clause. It should not stand alone as it introduces a dependent clause that requires a main clause to complete the thought. Incorrect: "We arrived late. "Though we were."" Correct: "We arrived late, "though we were" still able to catch the show."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though we were" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a dependent clause that expresses a contrast or concession. As Ludwig AI indicates, it sets up a condition that seemingly contradicts the main clause, adding complexity and nuance to the sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "though we were" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting element within a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, suitable for various contexts ranging from news to academic writing. While alternatives like "although we were" and "even though we were" exist, ""though we were"" offers a straightforward way to express concession. Ensure it's followed by a complete clause to avoid grammatical errors. Its prevalence in sources like The New York Times and BBC underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although we were

Replaces "though" with "although", maintaining the same meaning and grammatical function.

even though we were

Adds emphasis to the contrast, highlighting the unexpectedness of the situation.

despite the fact we were

Uses a more formal structure to introduce the contrasting element.

in spite of being

Rephrases the sentence to use a prepositional phrase, focusing on the state of being.

regardless of our state

Shifts the focus to the state itself, emphasizing that it doesn't change the main point.

even with us being

Similar to "even though", but uses a different construction to highlight the circumstance.

while we happened to be

Introduces a temporal aspect, implying that the state existed concurrently with another event.

notwithstanding that we were

A more formal and less common way to express a concession.

yet we were

Uses a simple conjunction to create a direct contrast.

however, we were

Introduces a contrasting statement after a previous one, creating a clear shift in thought.

FAQs

How can I use "though we were" in a sentence?

"Though we were" is used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying clause. For example, "Though we were tired, we decided to continue hiking."

What's a simple alternative to "though we were"?

A simple alternative is using "although we were", which carries nearly the same meaning and can be used interchangeably in most contexts.

Is there a difference between "even though we were" and "though we were"?

"Even though we were" adds more emphasis to the contrast compared to "though we were". It highlights the surprising nature of the situation despite the condition.

Can I use "though we were" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "though we were" can start a sentence, but it must be followed by a comma and the main clause. For instance, "Though we were late, we still managed to see the beginning of the film."