Understanding the Difference Between Threw and Through

Threw vs. Through

History of the Words

The word “threw” comes from the action “throw” and is the past tense of it. People have been using “throw” in English for many hundreds of years. “Through” is much older. It means to go from one end to the other and has roots in very old English.

How to Use Them

“Threw” is used when talking about tossing or sending something into the air or across a space. Because it is a past tense word, you use it for actions that have already happened. “Through” is used when someone or something goes in one side and out the other. It is not a past tense word, so it describes a way or direction.

Examples of “Threw”

• I threw the ball to my friend.
• She threw the paper in the trash.
• The boy threw a coin into the fountain.
• They threw the frisbee in the park.
• We threw stones into the pond.

Examples of “Through”

• The cat walked through the door.
• Please read through the book.
• He ran through the tunnel.
• She looked through the window.
• They went through the forest.

Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember when to use “threw,” think about throwing something in the past. “Threw” and “throw” both involve an action. To remember “through,” imagine moving across or in one side and out the other; it’s like a path.

Summary

“Threw” is about throwing something and is the past tense. “Through” means going in one side and out the other, like a path or a tunnel. Remember, “threw” has to do with past actions of tossing, while “through” is about direction or passing by.