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Punctuation and Dependent Clauses: but and although
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Is
this a sentence?
Although I am poor, but I am happy.
Follow below as we discuss
sentence fragments and complex sentences. At the end of
this lesson, we will have a POWER EDIT exercise.
To view the prior lesson, Sentence Fragments and Dependent Clauses beginning with but, click here.
Using but and although together
One frequent error of learners of English is to use although and but in the same sentence.
Both but and
although are
subordinating conjunctions and
introduce subordinating clauses.
When somebody uses both in the same sentence, as in
the example before, there is no
main or independent clause. This is a serious
writing error. We have it listed here under Punctuation
but it is an error in syntax, or
sentence structure.
How Can You Repair This?
The easiest way to repair this is either:
-
by eliminating the subordinating conjunction but or
-
by eliminating the subordinating conjunction although.
The main clause is bolded in each sentence below.
-
Although I am poor, I am happy.
-
I am poor, but I am happy.
Sentence Structure
Do the two sentences above have the same meaning?
Both but and although signal concession. Click here to learn more about concession and sentence structure, where we discuss but, although and however.
Power Edit! Test Your Skills
The following are from ESL students' writing.
Find the problems(s) in sentence with the use of
subordinating conjunctions. Find TWO ways
of improving the sentence structure and punctuation
of each situation so that each sentence has correct
structure while maintaining the meaning and intention
of the writer. Check your answers when you
are done.
1. Although they were happy. But they
were worried about the future.
a)
b)
2. Although an imimgrant needs to maintain
his language and certain aspects of his native culture,
but he still needs to learn English in order to
communicate in his new environment.
a)
b)
3. Even though you might get yourself into
trouble, but at least you have done what you believe
in.
a)
b)
4. Even though everybody in New York City
is always busy, but this is not the situation throughout
the whole country.
a)
b)
Next Lesson...
Continue with Our NEXT LESSON: Noun Clauses
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