Threw or Through or Thru - Common Grammar Mistake

'Threw', 'through', and 'thru' are commonly confused words in English grammar. Understanding the difference between 'threw', 'through', and 'thru' is important to use them correctly in written and spoken English.

'Threw' is the past tense of the verb 'throw'. It is used to indicate an action of throwing something in the past.

'Through' is a preposition and adverb that is used to indicate movement or the completion of an action from one side or point to another. It can also be used to express a means of accomplishing something or a process of understanding or solving a problem.

'Thru' is an informal and non-standard spelling of 'through'. It is commonly used in informal writing or in advertising to save space or for stylistic purposes.

Let's take a closer look at the meanings and usage of 'threw', 'through', and 'thru'.

'Threw''Through''Thru'
The word 'threw' is the past tense of the verb 'throw'.The word 'through' is a preposition and adverb.The word 'thru' is an informal and non-standard spelling of 'through'.
  • I threw the ball to my friend. (indicating an action in the past)
  • He threw a tantrum when he didn't get his way. (describing an action in the past)
  • We walked through the park. (indicating movement from one side to another)
  • I read through the book to find the answer. (describing a process of understanding)
  • Drive thru the fast-food restaurant for a quick meal. (informal spelling used in advertising)
  • Let's take a shortcut thru the woods. (informal spelling used in informal writing)

To remember the difference between 'threw', 'through', and 'thru', it can be helpful to remember that 'threw' is the past tense of 'throw', 'through' is a preposition and adverb indicating movement or completion, and 'thru' is an informal and non-standard spelling of 'through'.

Here are some examples of correct usage:

  • I threw the ball and it landed in the basket. (indicating an action in the past)
  • We walked through the tunnel to reach the other side. (indicating movement from one side to another)
  • Let's go thru the drive-thru for some fast food. (informal spelling used in advertising)

Remembering the correct usage of 'threw', 'through', and 'thru' will improve your grammar and communication skills.