ofskoon

Although (Literary): Ofskoon

Level 6

Ofskoon means although (literary), with the verb at the end: Ofskoon hy moeg was, het hy verder gestap. (Although he was tired, he walked on.)

How It Works

1. Meaning. Ofskoon means although or even though. It has the same meaning as hoewel and alhoewel, but it is less common and sounds literary or formal.

2. Verb at the end. Like other subordinating conjunctions, ofskoon sends the conjugated verb to the end of its clause (see subordinate clause word order):

  • Hy het die werk aanvaar, ofskoon die salaris laag was. (He accepted the job, although the salary was low.)

3. Ofskoon clause first. When the ofskoon clause comes first, the whole clause counts as the first element, so the main clause continues with its verb (see subordinate clause first):

  • Ofskoon hy moeg was, het hy verder gestap. (Although he was tired, he walked on.)

4. Register. Use ofskoon in literary or elevated writing. In everyday speech and writing, hoewel or alhoewel is the normal choice. Formal writing can also express a contrast with nogtans or nietemin.

Spelling: ofskoon is written as one word.

Examples (5)

  1. Ofskoon hy moeg was, het hy verder gestap.

    Although he was tired, he walked on.

    Word by Word: Although he tired was, has he further walked.

  2. Ofskoon sy ryk is, leef sy baie eenvoudig.

    Although she is rich, she lives very simply.

    Word by Word: Although she rich is, lives she very simply.

  3. Hy het die werk aanvaar, ofskoon die salaris laag was.

    He accepted the job, although the salary was low.

    Word by Word: He has the work accepted, although the salary low was.

  4. Ofskoon die digter jonk gesterf het, leef sy werk voort.

    Although the poet died young, his work lives on.

    Word by Word: Although the poet young died has, lives his work on.

  5. Die aand was koud, ofskoon die son die hele dag geskyn het.

    The evening was cold, although the sun had shone all day.

    Word by Word: The evening was cold, although the sun the whole day shone has.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the verb in second place after ofskoon.

    Ofskoon hy was moeg, het hy verder gestap.
    Ofskoon hy moeg was, het hy verder gestap.

    Ofskoon starts a subordinate clause, so the conjugated verb goes to the end of that clause.

  • Putting the subject first in the main clause after an ofskoon clause.

    Ofskoon hy moeg was, hy het verder gestap.
    Ofskoon hy moeg was, het hy verder gestap.

    The ofskoon clause fills the first position, so the verb of the main clause comes next, before the subject.

  • Writing ofskoon as two words.

    Of skoon sy ryk is, leef sy eenvoudig.
    Ofskoon sy ryk is, leef sy eenvoudig.

    Ofskoon is one word. Written apart, the letters read as of (or) and skoon (clean).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ofskoonLevel 6Although (Literary): Ofskoon

Learn This First

Ofskoon is a literary word for although.

Words in This Pattern

ofskoon