Threw vs. Through

Threwとthroughは発音が同じですが、全く違う意味を表します。

Threwは、動詞throwの過去形で、throughは前置詞、副詞、形容詞としても使用できます。一方、thruはどうでしょうか？ Thruは、throughのスペルを間違った表現と推測され、正しい表記ではありません。したがって、格調のある作文では使わない方がいいです。

Throwとその過去形であるthrew、そしてthroughの定義を例文とともに見てみましょう。

Threw (past tense of verb throw)

Main definitions of throw (verb):

To propel an object or body part with force through air

Example: I threw a baseball.

Cause to enter a certain condition, state, or place

Example: Her emotions were thrown into turmoil.

To deliver (a punch)

Example: The boxer quickly threw a punch at his opponent.

To direct (a look or facial expression)

Example: She threw a glance at her sister.

To roll (a die)

Example: He threw the die in hopes for a 6.

To obtain (a number on a die)

Example: He threw a 6, which is the highest number on the die.

To confuse

Example: She was thrown off by his sudden change in behavior.

To have (a fit or tantrum)

Example: Her son threw a fit when he couldn’t get what he wanted.

To give or hold (a party)

Example: He threw a small birthday party for his friend.

Through (preposition, adverb, adjective)

(1) Main definitions of through (preposition and adverb)

Move in one side and out of the other side of something

Example (preposition): The car went through the tunnel.

Example (adverb):The runner came running through.

Continuing in time toward completion of a process or period

Example (preposition): She sat through the long lecture patiently.

Example (adverb): She will be studying right through to the end of summer vacation.

To complete a stage or process successfully

Example (preposition): He had come through the examination.

Example (adverb): He managed to push through.

Inspect all parts

Example (preposition): He flipped through the textbook.

Example (adverb): He read the letter through quickly.

(preposition only) expressing the position or location of something beyond or at the far end of something

Example (preposition): The auditorium is through that doorway.

(preposition only) up to and including (Jan 1st through Jan 3rd)

Example (preposition): The construction will continue from January 1st through January 29th.

(preposition only) by means of (a process or an intermediary)

Example (preposition): The cell will gain water through osmosis.

(adverb only) to be connected by telephone

Example (adverb): I will put the call through to Jane.

(2) Main definitions of through (adjective):

Continuing or valid to a final destination

Example: He took a through train from New York City.

Describing traffic that passes from one side to another

Example: That store gets many customers because it is on a through road.

(informal) done or finished

Example: They were through with each other.

Thru

Thruは、throughのスペルを間違って表現したか、もしくは口語体(informal)の表現として認識されます。日常生活の中で頻繫に使われますが、公式的・学問的な用途のライティングでは使わないようにしてください。代わりに正しいスペルであるthroughを使わないといけません。

A simple rule of thumb

Threwとthroughを区分する簡単な方法は、単語が動詞であるかを確認することです。もし、動詞なら、threwを使わないと正しい文章ではありません。動詞でなければ、throughを使います。Throughは文章内で、前置詞、副詞、形容詞の役割を果たします。

Practice questions

threw/through the basketball back to the teenagers.
Did you manage to get threw/through the crowd?
The moving toy threw/through the toddler off who tilted his head in confusion.
The twins threw/through their heads back and laughed almost in synchronization.
The sunlight seeped threw/through the thin curtains.
The authorities threw/through the criminals into jail.
Plants create chemical energy threw/through photosynthesis.
Little Penelope threw/through a tantrum at the mall because her father would not buy her ice cream.
The arrow went straight threw/through the target to everyone’s surprise.
George ran threw/through the forest and up the hill.