What's the difference (about the meaning) between "although" and "but"?

Question

Dear all,

I would like to know what's the difference between "although" and "but".Hope you can help me.

I know that they are also connectives. "But" is used to add another clause which express contradictory meaning. "Alough" means "in spite of the fact that". So, are the following sentences correct? (especially 1b)

1. a. Although travelling by bus is cheap, it is slow. / Travelling by bus is cheap although it is slow.

b. Travelling by bus is cheap but it is slow.

2. I am a girl but I go to the men's toilet.

Thanks a lot.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

What is the correct answer to the above please.

Marius Hancu · Answer

although doesn't mean only but, it also means in spite of

Fanny0610 · Answer

I see. Thanks!

Then how about the sentence 1b... Is it correct?

BarbaraPA · Answer

I would put a comma before but in 1b.

Or say Travelling by bus is cheap but slow.

Kooyeen · Answer

Hi *****,
I use them this way:
But is used to show a contrast. It introduces a sentence that contrasts in some way with what has already been said.
- I don't have a car, but I have a bike. You can borrow that, if you want...
- I wanted to buy that cell phone, but then I changed my mind.
- It was very good, but it was too expensive.
Although is used to introduce a sentence that makes all the rest seem more surprising, unusual, unexpected...
- Although my mother was born in Germany, she doesn't know a single word in German.
- My father isn't fluent in Italian, although he's been living in Italy for more than six years.

That's the way I use them... I hope it's the right way!

Anonymous · Answer

Although, though and even though are transitions. But is a conjunction. The closest transition to but would be: however, which shows contrast just like but.

What's the difference (about the meaning) between "although" and "but"?

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What is the correct answer to the above please.

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