Which is It Threw or Thrown What's the Past Tense of Throw

Threw vs. Thrown: Mastering the Past Tense of “Throw”

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Understanding the correct past tense forms of irregular verbs like “throw” is crucial for clear and accurate communication in English. The confusion between “threw” and “thrown” is a common pitfall for both native and non-native speakers.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to differentiating between these two forms, explaining their usage with detailed examples and practical exercises. Whether you’re a student, a writer, or simply someone looking to improve their grammar, this guide will help you master the nuances of “threw” and “thrown” and confidently use them in your writing and speech.

Table of Contents

Definition: Throw, Threw, and Thrown

To understand the correct usage of “threw” and “thrown,” it’s essential to define each form and its grammatical function. The verb “throw” is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the standard -ed ending rule.

Let’s break down each form:

Throw

Throw (present tense): This is the base form of the verb, indicating an action of propelling something through the air with force. It’s used in the present tense, future tense (with “will”), and with modal verbs like “can,” “should,” and “must.”

Example: I throw the ball to my dog every day.

Threw

Threw (simple past): This is the past tense form of “throw.” It indicates a completed action in the past. It is used without any auxiliary verbs.

Example: Yesterday, I threw the ball to my dog.

Thrown

Thrown (past participle): This is the past participle form of “throw.” It’s used with auxiliary verbs such as “have,” “has,” “had,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were” to form perfect tenses (e.g., present perfect, past perfect) and passive voice constructions.

Example: I have thrown the ball many times. The ball was thrown by the boy.

Structural Breakdown

Understanding the structural roles of “threw” and “thrown” is key to using them correctly. Let’s examine how they fit into different sentence structures.

Simple Past (Threw)

The simple past form, “threw,” is used to describe actions that were completed at a specific time in the past. The structure is straightforward:

Subject + Threw + (Object/Complement)

Examples:

  • She threw the keys on the table.
  • He threw the baseball with great force.
  • They threw a surprise party for their friend.

Past Participle (Thrown)

The past participle form, “thrown,” requires an auxiliary verb to function correctly. It cannot stand alone as the main verb in a simple past tense sentence.

The most common uses are in perfect tenses and passive voice.

Auxiliary Verbs with Thrown

Perfect Tenses:

Subject + Have/Has/Had + Thrown + (Object/Complement)

Examples:

  • I have thrown the garbage out.
  • She has thrown away all the old papers.
  • They had thrown a party before I arrived.

Passive Voice:

Subject + Is/Are/Was/Were/Been + Thrown + (By + Agent)

Examples:

  • The ball was thrown by the pitcher.
  • The garbage is thrown out every Tuesday.
  • The accusations were thrown out of court.

Types and Categories of Usage

The usage of “threw” and “thrown” can be categorized based on the voice (active or passive) and the tense (simple past or perfect).

Active Voice with Threw

In active voice, the subject performs the action. “Threw” is used to indicate that the subject completed the action of throwing in the past.

Example: The quarterback threw the football down the field.

Passive Voice with Thrown

In passive voice, the subject receives the action. “Thrown” is used with a form of the verb “to be” to indicate that something was thrown by someone or something else.

The focus is on the object that received the action, not who performed it.

Example: The football was thrown by the quarterback.

Perfect Tenses with Thrown

Perfect tenses indicate completed actions or states up to a certain point in time. “Thrown” is used with “have,” “has,” or “had” to form these tenses.

Example (Present Perfect): I have thrown the ball many times.

Example (Past Perfect): She had thrown the letter away before she realized it was important.

Examples

To solidify your understanding, let’s look at extensive examples of “threw” and “thrown” in various contexts.

Examples of “Threw”

The following table provides examples of “threw” used in the simple past tense, demonstrating its use in various sentences and contexts.

Sentence Context
He threw the ball across the field. Sports, physical activity
She threw a party for her birthday. Celebration, social event
They threw stones into the lake. Recreation, outdoor activity
I threw the old newspapers away. Cleaning, disposal
The angry customer threw the food on the floor. Conflict, dissatisfaction
The child threw a tantrum in the store. Behavior, emotion
She threw a glance at the clock. Observation, quick action
He threw caution to the wind and took the risk. Decision-making, risk-taking
The company threw its support behind the new project. Support, endorsement
The magician threw the cards into the air. Entertainment, performance
She threw a blanket over the sleeping child. Care, protection
He threw a lifeline to the struggling swimmer. Rescue, assistance
They threw open the windows to let in the fresh air. Ventilation, freshness
I threw my hat into the ring for the election. Participation, candidacy
The detective threw the suspect in jail. Law enforcement, justice
She threw a curveball during the negotiation. Strategy, surprise
He threw cold water on the idea. Discouragement, skepticism
They threw a veil of secrecy over the project. Concealment, confidentiality
I threw myself into my work. Dedication, commitment
She threw a fit when she heard the news. Emotion, reaction
He threw the dice and hoped for the best. Gambling, chance
They threw a net over the fish. Fishing, capture
She threw a party to celebrate her promotion. Celebration, achievement
He threw a shadow on the wall. Lighting, visibility
They threw their hats in the air to celebrate. Celebration, victory
I threw my arms around her in a hug. Affection, embrace
She threw a questioning look at him. Inquiry, curiosity
He threw the match and lost the game. Sports, competition
They threw pennies into the fountain for good luck. Superstition, tradition
Read More  Give, Gave, Given: Mastering the Verb Forms & Usage

Examples of “Thrown”

The following table provides examples of “thrown” used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions, demonstrating its use with auxiliary verbs.

Sentence Context
The ball has been thrown by the pitcher. Sports, passive voice
I have thrown away all the old clothes. Cleaning, present perfect
She had thrown the letter before she realized her mistake. Regret, past perfect
The game is being thrown due to corruption. Sports, passive voice (continuous)
He has thrown his support behind the candidate. Endorsement, present perfect
The accusations were thrown out of court. Legal, passive voice
The party had been thrown before I arrived. Celebration, past perfect passive
The dice have been thrown; the decision is made. Decision, present perfect passive
She has thrown herself into her work. Dedication, present perfect
The net was thrown over the fish. Fishing, passive voice
He had thrown caution to the wind. Risk-taking, past perfect
The lifeline has been thrown to the drowning man. Rescue, present perfect passive
The windows were thrown open to air out the room. Ventilation, passive voice
My hat has been thrown into the ring. Candidacy, present perfect passive
The suspect has been thrown in jail. Law enforcement, present perfect passive
A curveball has been thrown in the negotiation. Strategy, present perfect passive
Cold water has been thrown on the project. Discouragement, present perfect passive
A veil of secrecy has been thrown over the event. Concealment, present perfect passive
A fit was thrown by the frustrated customer. Emotion, passive voice
Pennies have been thrown into the fountain. Superstition, present perfect passive
The blanket had been thrown over the child. Care, past perfect passive
The party has been thrown in celebration of her promotion. Celebration, present perfect passive
The cards have been thrown into the air. Entertainment, present perfect passive
A shadow had been thrown on the wall. Lighting, past perfect passive
Their hats have been thrown in the air in celebration. Celebration, present perfect passive
A questioning look has been thrown at me. Inquiry, present perfect passive
The match had been thrown, resulting in a loss. Sports, past perfect passive
The food was thrown on the floor by the angry customer. Conflict, passive voice
A tantrum has been thrown by the child in the store. Behavior, present perfect passive

Examples in Perfect Tenses

This table focuses specifically on the use of “thrown” within perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect), highlighting the auxiliary verbs that accompany it.

Tense Sentence Explanation
Present Perfect I have thrown the frisbee for hours. Action started in the past and continues to the present.
Present Perfect She has thrown away all her old love letters. Completed action with relevance to the present.
Past Perfect He had thrown the garbage out before the truck arrived. Action completed before another action in the past.
Past Perfect They had thrown a surprise party, but she already knew. Action completed before another action in the past.
Future Perfect By next week, I will have thrown the last of my ex’s belongings away. Action will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Future Perfect By the time you arrive, she will have thrown the ball a hundred times. Action will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Present Perfect We have thrown several ideas around in the meeting. Action started in the past and continues to the present.
Present Perfect The company has thrown its weight behind the new initiative. Completed action with relevance to the present.
Past Perfect She had thrown her inhibitions to the wind before she started singing. Action completed before another action in the past.
Past Perfect They had thrown a lifeline to the failing business. Action completed before another action in the past.
Future Perfect By the end of the year, the team will have thrown countless pitches. Action will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Future Perfect By the time the investigation concludes, the evidence will have been thrown out. Action will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Present Perfect He has thrown a wrench into the plans. Action started in the past and continues to the present.
Present Perfect I have thrown my support to the local charity. Completed action with relevance to the present.
Past Perfect The jury had thrown out the case before I arrived. Action completed before another action in the past.
Past Perfect She had thrown her arms around him when she saw him again. Action completed before another action in the past.
Future Perfect By tomorrow, I will have thrown all the old documents into the shredder. Action will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Future Perfect By the time the movie starts, the popcorn will have been thrown all over the floor. Action will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Present Perfect She has thrown a surprise party for me. Action started in the past and continues to the present.
Present Perfect The old man has thrown pennies into the fountain for 50 years. Completed action with relevance to the present.
Past Perfect The child had thrown a fit, so his mother took him home. Action completed before another action in the past.
Past Perfect They had thrown open the windows to let in the breeze. Action completed before another action in the past.
Future Perfect By the end of the week, he will have thrown the last of the rocks into the pond. Action will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Future Perfect By the time the concert begins, the beach balls will have been thrown all over the stadium. Action will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Present Perfect He has thrown a lifeline to the sinking company. Action started in the past and continues to the present.
Present Perfect I have thrown caution to the wind and invested all my money. Completed action with relevance to the present.
Past Perfect They had thrown a party for her, but she didn’t attend. Action completed before another action in the past.
Read More  Forbid, Forbade, Forbidden: Mastering the Past Tense

Usage Rules

To avoid errors, it’s important to follow specific rules for using “threw” and “thrown.”

Rule 1: Threw for Completed Actions

Use “threw” to describe a completed action in the past without any auxiliary verbs. This is the simple past tense form.

Correct: She threw the book across the room.

Incorrect: She thrown the book across the room.

Rule 2: Thrown with Auxiliary Verbs

Use “thrown” with auxiliary verbs such as “have,” “has,” “had,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were.” This form is used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions.

Correct: The ball has been thrown by the player.

Incorrect: The ball has been threw by the player.

Rule 3: Passive Voice Construction

In passive voice, use “thrown” with a form of the verb “to be” (is, are, was, were, been).

Correct: The garbage was thrown out yesterday.

Incorrect: The garbage was threw out yesterday.

Common Mistakes

Let’s address some common errors that learners make when using “threw” and “thrown.”

Mistake 1: Using Thrown as Simple Past

A frequent mistake is using “thrown” in place of “threw” for simple past tense.

Incorrect: He thrown the ball.

Correct: He threw the ball.

Mistake 2: Using Threw with Auxiliary Verbs

Another common error is using “threw” with auxiliary verbs when “thrown” is required.

Incorrect: I have threw the ball.

Correct: I have thrown the ball.

Mistake 3: Incorrect Passive Voice

Using the wrong form of the verb “to be” or omitting it entirely in passive voice constructions is also a common mistake.

Incorrect: The letter thrown away.

Correct: The letter was thrown away.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb “throw” (threw or thrown).

Question Answer
1. She ______ the keys on the table. threw
2. The ball has been ______ by the pitcher. thrown
3. I ______ the garbage out this morning. threw
4. He has ______ away all his old clothes. thrown
5. The letter was ______ in the trash. thrown
6. They ______ a party last weekend. threw
7. We have ______ several ideas around. thrown
8. She had ______ the ball before I arrived. thrown
9. The dice were ______ on the table. thrown
10. He ______ the stone into the water. threw

Exercise 2: Correct the Sentences

Correct the sentences that contain errors in the use of “threw” and “thrown.” If the sentence is correct, write “Correct.”

Question Answer
1. I have threw the ball. I have thrown the ball.
2. She threw the ball yesterday. Correct
3. The garbage was threw out. The garbage was thrown out.
4. He thrown the keys on the table. He threw the keys on the table.
5. The letter has been thrown away. Correct
6. They have threw a party. They have thrown a party.
7. We thrown the ball across the field. We threw the ball across the field.
8. She had threw the letter away. She had thrown the letter away.
9. The match was threw by the player. The match was thrown by the player.
10. He threwed the stone into the lake. He threw the stone into the lake.

Exercise 3: Sentence Construction

Create a sentence using the word in parentheses, following the tense indicated.

Instruction Answer
1. (Throw, simple past, active voice) The boy ________. The boy threw the rock.
2. (Throw, present perfect, active voice) I ________. I have thrown the ball many times.
3. (Throw, past perfect, passive voice) The party ________. The party had been thrown before I arrived.
4. (Throw, simple past, active voice) She ________. She threw the keys on the counter.
5. (Throw, present perfect, passive voice) The dice ________. The dice have been thrown.
6. (Throw, simple past, active voice) They ________. They threw stones into the pond.
7. (Throw, present perfect, active voice) We ________. We have thrown caution to the wind.
8. (Throw, past perfect, passive voice) The lifeline ________. The lifeline had been thrown to the swimmer.
9. (Throw, simple past, active voice) He ________. He threw the baseball very hard.
10. (Throw, present perfect, passive voice) The garbage ________. The garbage has been thrown out.
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Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, let’s explore some more complex aspects of the verb “throw.”

Idiomatic Expressions with “Throw”

The verb “throw” appears in many idiomatic expressions, which often have meanings that are not immediately obvious from the literal meaning of the words. Understanding these expressions can enrich your vocabulary and improve your comprehension of nuanced language.

  • Throw in the towel: To give up; to quit. Example: After years of struggling, he finally threw in the towel and closed the business.
  • Throw someone under the bus: To betray someone for personal gain. Example: He threw his colleague under the bus to get the promotion.
  • Throw a wrench in the works: To disrupt a plan or process. Example: The unexpected rain threw a wrench in our plans for the picnic.
  • Throw caution to the wind: To take a risk without worrying about the consequences. Example: He threw caution to the wind and invested all his savings in the stock market.
  • Throw a party: To host a celebration. Example: They threw a party to celebrate their anniversary.

Figurative Language

“Throw” can also be used in figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, to create vivid imagery and convey abstract ideas.

Metaphor: The news threw a shadow over the entire event.

Simile: Her words were thrown like daggers, cutting through the silence.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about “threw” and “thrown.”

  1. Q: When should I use “threw” instead of “thrown”?

    A: Use “threw” when you’re describing a completed action in the past without any auxiliary verbs. It’s the simple past tense form of “throw.”

  2. Q: What are auxiliary verbs, and why are they important with “thrown”?

    A: Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs like “have,” “has,” “had,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were.” They are essential for forming perfect tenses and passive voice constructions, which require the past participle form “thrown.”

  3. Q: Can “thrown” ever be used without an auxiliary verb?

    A: No, “thrown” always requires an auxiliary verb. It cannot function as the main verb in a simple past tense sentence.

  4. Q: What is the difference between active and passive voice, and how does it affect the use of “threw” and “thrown”?

    A: In active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., “He threw the ball”). In passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., “The ball was thrown by him”). “Threw” is used in active voice, while “thrown” is used with a form of “to be” in passive voice.

  5. Q: How do I form the perfect tenses using “thrown”?

    A: Use “thrown” with “have,” “has,” or “had” to form the perfect tenses. For example, “I have thrown,” “She has thrown,” “They had thrown.”

  6. Q: Is “throwed” a correct form of the verb “throw”?

    A: No, “throwed” is not a correct form. “Throw” is an irregular verb, and its past tense is “threw,” and its past participle is “thrown.”

  7. Q: Can you give me a simple way to remember when to use “threw” vs. “thrown”?

    A: Think of “threw” as a standalone action in the past (like “ate” or “went”). Think of “thrown” as needing help from another verb (like “has eaten” or “was gone”).

  8. Q: What are some common idiomatic expressions that use the word “throw”?

    A: Common idioms include “throw in the towel” (give up), “throw someone under the bus” (betray), and “throw caution to the wind” (take a risk).

  9. Q: How can I improve my ability to use “threw” and “thrown” correctly?

    A: Practice regularly with exercises, pay attention to how native speakers use these forms, and review the rules and examples provided in this article.

  10. Q: Why is it important to use the correct past tense of “throw”?

    A: Using the correct past tense ensures clarity and accuracy in your communication. Incorrect usage can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between “threw” and “thrown” is essential for effective and accurate communication in English. By understanding their definitions, structural roles, and usage rules, you can confidently use these forms in your writing and speech.

Remember that “threw” is the simple past tense form used for completed actions, while “thrown” is the past participle form used

with auxiliary verbs in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. Practice regularly, pay attention to context, and don’t hesitate to review the rules and examples provided in this guide.

With consistent effort, you’ll master these tricky verb forms and enhance your overall command of the English language.

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