Threw vs Through
Published January 25, 2023. Updated January 25, 2023.
Threw and through are similar because they’re homophones (words with the same pronunciation) with similar spellings, but they have completely different meanings. Threw is the simple past tense form of the verb to throw. Through can be a preposition, adverb, or adjective. As a preposition, it can be used to show movement from one side of something to another, being surrounded by or engulfed in something, or by means of something. As an adverb, it can mean from one side of something to the other, during a certain time, or completely. As an adjective, it can mean going from one side to another, finished, or being done with something or someone.
Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Threw (verb)
Simple past tense form of the verb to throw, which means to propel something with force usually from a hand and arm with a sudden forward movement.
Examples:
She threw her chemistry book in frustration.
We threw the ball back and forth for hours.
Through (preposition)
- From one part to the other.
Examples:
The ball went through the window and shattered the glass.
They slowly strolled through the mall on Sunday mornings.
- Being surrounded by or engulfed in something.
Examples:
The soldiers went through the rain to get to their base camp.
Walking through the forest is both calming and a little eerie.
- By means of something.
Examples:
That team won their championship through hard work.
He became chairman of the board through bribery and nepotism.
Through (adverb)
- From one part to the other.
Examples:
I read the medical book all the way through, and I still don’t understand it.
Did you get through the whole movie?
- During a certain time.
Examples:
Did you make it through the night without sleeping even an hour?
No one makes it through their teenage years without a little bit of melodrama.
Examples:
The dogs were soaked through from playing in the rain.
My clothes were soaked through with oil after working on the car.
Through (adjective)
- From one part to the other.
Examples:
This through train will take you to where you need to go.
Are there any through roads going west to east in town?
Examples:
Are you through with that yet?
You can play games when you’re through with your homework.
- Being over something or someone.
Examples:
After their big fight, the couple was through.
I am through with my so-called friends!
Notes: Each form of through has a few other meanings, but they all roughly focus on moving from one point to the opposite point, being finished with something, or being surrounded by, engulfed in, covered in, etc. something.
Main Points
- Threw and through have the same pronunciation, but different spellings and very different meanings.
- Threw is a past tense form of a verb whereas through can be a preposition, adverb, or adjective.
- Threw is the simple past form of “to throw.”
- Through’s meanings vary a lot depending on its function in a sentence, but it usually means from one end to another, completely or fully, or surrounded by or engulfed in something.