ook al

== Dutch == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈoːk ˌɑl/ === Conjunction === ook al even though, despite that ==== Usage notes ==== In contrast with its synonyms ‘ofschoon’ and ‘(al)hoewel’, ook al causes an inversion of the finite verb in the subclause which it governs, but requires there to be no inversion in the accompanying main clause. Compare: Ofschoon de regering investeert, lijkt de crisis onafwendbaar. Ook al investeert de regering, de crisis lijkt onafwendbaar. Ook al may be shortened to al, which possesses the same grammatical characteristics. ==== Synonyms ==== al ondanks dat ofschoon alhoewel