alhoewel

Alhoewel is a Dutch subordinating conjunction used to express concession. It introduces a dependent clause that presents a contrast with the main clause and translates roughly as "although" or "even though." It is commonly used in both formal and informal registers, though it tends to be more frequent in written Dutch and in careful speech.

Etymology and form: The word is of Dutch origin, formed from al ("even") and hoewel (an older form related to "although"), and functions as a single unit meaning a concessive clause. Some grammars note that alhoewel often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause for emphasis, while the form hoewel is more neutral and frequently used within a sentence.

Usage and syntax: Alhoewel introduces a finite subordinate clause with its own subject and verb. When the concessive clause comes first, it is typically followed by a comma: "Alhoewel hij moe is, gaat hij naar zijn werk." When the main clause comes first, a comma often separates the two parts: "Hij gaat naar zijn werk, alhoewel hij moe is." The conjunction is compatible with a range of tenses and moods and can be combined with other sentence elements as needed.

Variants and register: In spoken Dutch, many speakers prefer hoewel or other concessive constructions; alhoewel is generally more formal or literary and may appear more often in journalism, academic writing, or fiction.

Examples:

- Alhoewel hij ziek is, gaat hij naar zijn werk.

- Hij blijft doorwerken, alhoewel hij vermoeid is.