Sound-alike words

Threw vs. Through

Threw is the past tense of throw, as in she threw the ball. Through means from one side or end to the other, or finished, as in we drove through the tunnel and I'm through with this book.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
threw	verb	the past tense of throw, to send something through the air with your hand
through	preposition	from one side or end of something to the other, or by way of
through	adjective	finished or done with something

Threw

verb: the past tense of throw, to send something through the air with your hand

Rosa threw the ball to her dog.
We threw a surprise party for Mom's birthday.

Through

preposition: from one side or end of something to the other, or by way of

The train goes through three tunnels.
I found my apartment through a friend.

adjective: finished or done with something

Are you through with the scissors?
Call me when you're through with work.

How to remember the difference

Threw comes from throw: both start with T-H-R and have a W. Through has the -ough of tough, like a tough road you have to get through.

Good to know

Thru is an informal spelling seen on signs, as in drive-thru. Use through in school and work writing. American English also uses through for ranges, as in Monday through Friday, meaning up to and including Friday.

Spot the mistake

She ~~through~~ threw the paper in the recycling bin.
Correct: She threw the paper in the recycling bin.
We walked ~~threw~~ through the park on the way home.
Correct: We walked through the park on the way home.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. Leo a perfect pass in the last minute of the game.

2. Sunlight came the kitchen window.