Difference Between Threw and Through

The words ‘threw and through’ are homonyms, which sounds the same, but they cannot be used interchangeably. This is due to the fact that these words are not only spelt differently, but their meanings also vary. Through refers to the motion of a person or an object in and out something. It can also be used when you are done with something.

On the contrary, threw can be used when something is launched by using a hand with a bit force through the air. Read out the examples given below to understand the difference between these two:

• The girl in the white suit threw the stone on the Mayor and ran through the crowded street.
• Paul got the permission to throw a party, through his brother.

From the given examples you might have understood that the words can be used in many different ways which based on what the meaning of the sentence is intended. In the first sentence, the word threw express ‘propel’, whereas through means ‘from’. In the next case, ‘throw’ means ‘to hold’, while through denotes ‘by way of’.

Content: Threw Vs Through

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Examples
5. How to remember the difference

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Threw	Through
Meaning	Threw means to hurl something with force, into the air by using arms and wrist.	Through refers to getting into something from one side and moving out of it from the other one.
Primary usage	Dispose of	Pass or by way of
Part of Speech	Simple past of the verb "throw".	Preposition, Adverb and Adjective
Pronunciation	θruː	θruː
Examples	She took all the toffees out of the wrapper and threw it away.	The lane is quite narrow, cars cannot get through.
	While playing ludo, Kate threw the dice, and moved one of the four tokens.	Peter is going through a critical phase in his life.
	The boxer threw a punch at his opponent at the ring.	I will go through the documents once again, to find more mistakes.

Definition of Threw

The word ‘threw’ is a simple past tense form of the verb ‘throw’, whose past participle form is ‘thrown’. It primarily refers to release something with hands using a little or great force by a forward movement of arms and wrist, through the air, so as to get rid of it. However, it can be used in various contexts, which are discussed in the points given below:

1. Propel something:
   • She threw her jacket on the bed, after coming back home.
   • Joe has thrown stones, on the on-duty cops, that’s why he got arrested.
   • Could you please stop throwing your stuff on the table?
2. Shock a person:
   • They have no idea that I am coming back, they were completely thrown, to see me there.
3. Open something which was previously closed, to let something get in:
   • The door has been thrown open, so that the guest may come in.
4. Cause or make something happen:
   • The decision of the President has thrown the cops into action.
   • The deeds of Lisa has thrown her into this condition.
5. Do something carelessly, quickly or hastily:
   • She threw a stole over her neck.
6. Put on or hold:
   • Mr Batra has thrown a party on the success of his latest novel.
7. Chance or turn:
   • It was his first throw, and he took the wicket.

In general, the word ‘throw’ is used with phrases such as throw away (= to trash something), throwback (= a reversion to previous time), throw in (= to add something to an offer), throw off (= to keep oneself aside), throw oneself into (= to indulge in an activity with a zeal and excitement), throw oneself at ( = to seek someone’s attention or interest) and many more.

Definition of Through

We use the preposition ‘through’ to indicate some form of movement from one end to another, to refer to penetration or passage. As an adjective or adverb, it is used to indicate time, when talking about the accomplishment of something. Let’s take an overview of the points discussed below, to understand its usage:

1. From one point to another:
   • The couple walked slowly through the road.
   • I have seen a truck going through the no-entry zone.
   • “You have to ride bike carefully through the field”, said the cops.
2. From the start to the end of the period:
   • It rained all through the night.
   • Alex waited through five days and then left.
3. Going in and out of a procedure:
   • You have to go through the entire process, to get the approval.
   • She has been through chemotherapy.
4. As a result of, because or due to:
   • He lost his job through misconduct.
5. Relationships that links two people:
   • Riya is related to Raj through his mother.
6. Place of something which is at the opposite or far end:
   • The entry to the hall is through the main door.
   • Take a left through the Principal office.
7. Way or Mode of spreading or conveying news:
   • I got the information through my friend.
   • We heard the news through Facebook.
8. When you are done with something:
   • Have you been through with your classes?

Examples

Threw

• When I entered the room, she threw something out of the window.
• I threw the documents into the garbage bin.
• The old man threw the ball of the kids in the drain.

Through

• Our car passed through the tunnel.
• The highway goes through the village.
• The train went through Mathura without taking any halt.

How to remember the difference

The basic difference between these two lies in their meaning and usage, i.e. we use ‘threw’, to cast something in order to dispose of or discard it. On the other hand, ‘through’ is used when you pass from a specific point to another point.