Threw vs. Thrown: Mastering the Past Tense of “Throw”
Understanding the correct past tense and past participle forms of irregular verbs, like “throw,” is crucial for clear and accurate communication. Confusion between “threw” and “thrown” is a common mistake among English language learners and even native speakers.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to mastering the past tense forms of “throw,” clarifying their uses, and offering ample examples and practice exercises. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone looking to improve their English grammar, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently use “threw” and “thrown” in your writing and speech.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Throw, Threw, and Thrown
- Structural Breakdown of the Verb “Throw”
- Examples of “Throw,” “Threw,” and “Thrown”
- Usage Rules for “Threw” and “Thrown”
- Common Mistakes with “Threw” and “Thrown”
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics: Idiomatic Expressions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Throw, Threw, and Thrown
The verb “throw” is an irregular verb that means to propel something through the air with force, using the arm and hand. It is a transitive verb, meaning it typically takes a direct object.
Understanding its different forms is essential for proper grammar.
- Throw (Base Form): This is the present tense form of the verb. Example: I throw the ball.
- Threw (Simple Past): This is the past tense form of the verb, used to describe an action that was completed in the past. Example: Yesterday, I threw the ball.
- Thrown (Past Participle): This form is used with auxiliary verbs (such as have, has, had, is, are, was, were, been, being) to form perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. Example: I have thrown the ball. The ball was thrown by me.
The principal parts of the verb “throw” are: base form (throw), simple past (threw), and past participle (thrown). Recognizing these forms and their proper usage is key to avoiding grammatical errors.
Structural Breakdown of the Verb “Throw”
The structural breakdown of “throw” involves understanding how it changes depending on the tense and voice of the sentence. This includes recognizing when to use “threw” versus “thrown” and how auxiliary verbs interact with the past participle.
Simple Past (Threw): Used to describe completed actions in the past. The structure is straightforward: Subject + Threw + (Object/Adverbial Modifier).
Example: She threw the keys on the table.
Past Participle (Thrown): Used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. The structure varies depending on the specific tense or voice.
- Perfect Tenses: These tenses use “have,” “has,” or “had” + “thrown.”
- Present Perfect: Subject + Have/Has + Thrown + (Object)
- Past Perfect: Subject + Had + Thrown + (Object)
- Future Perfect: Subject + Will Have + Thrown + (Object)
- Passive Voice: The passive voice uses a form of “be” + “thrown.”
- Present Passive: Subject + Is/Are/Am + Thrown + (By + Agent)
- Past Passive: Subject + Was/Were + Thrown + (By + Agent)
Understanding these structures will help you construct grammatically correct sentences using “throw,” “threw,” and “thrown.”
Examples of “Throw,” “Threw,” and “Thrown”
The following sections provide extensive examples of “throw,” “threw,” and “thrown” in various contexts to illustrate their correct usage.
Simple Past: “Threw”
The simple past tense “threw” describes an action completed in the past. Below are examples showcasing its use in different sentences.
The following table illustrates the use of “threw” in various sentences, demonstrating its role in describing past actions.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| He threw the ball to his dog. | Describes a past action of throwing a ball. |
| She threw the garbage into the bin. | Indicates a completed action of disposing of garbage. |
| The pitcher threw a fastball. | Describes a specific action in a baseball game. |
| I threw a party for my birthday. | Indicates that the speaker organized and hosted a party. |
| They threw stones into the lake. | Describes a past action of throwing stones. |
| The angry customer threw the menu at the waiter. | Illustrates an action done in anger. |
| The child threw a tantrum in the store. | Indicates that the child expressed anger or frustration. |
| The quarterback threw the ball downfield. | Describes a past action of throwing a ball. |
| The artist threw paint onto the canvas. | Indicates a completed action of disposing of garbage. |
| The student threw their notes away after the exam. | Describes a specific action in a baseball game. |
| She threw caution to the wind and decided to travel alone. | Indicates that the speaker organized and hosted a party. |
| He threw his hat on the bed. | Describes a past action of throwing stones. |
| The team threw a celebratory parade. | Illustrates an action done in anger. |
| She threw a surprise birthday party for her friend. | Indicates that the child expressed anger or frustration. |
| He threw the frisbee for his dog to catch. | Describes a past action of throwing a ball. |
| She threw open the window to let in some fresh air. | Indicates a completed action of disposing of garbage. |
| The boxer threw a punch. | Describes a specific action in a baseball game. |
| The company threw a launch party for their new product. | Indicates that the speaker organized and hosted a party. |
| He threw a glance at the clock. | Describes a past action of throwing stones. |
| She threw a lifeline to the struggling swimmer. | Illustrates an action done in anger. |
| He threw his support behind the new candidate. | Describes a past action of throwing a ball. |
| The committee threw out the proposal. | Indicates a completed action of disposing of garbage. |
| The dancer threw herself into the performance. | Describes a specific action in a baseball game. |
| The politician threw accusations at his opponent. | Indicates that the speaker organized and hosted a party. |
| She threw her arms around him in excitement. | Describes a past action of throwing stones. |
| He threw a coin into the fountain and made a wish. | Illustrates an action done in anger. |
Past Participle: “Thrown”
The past participle “thrown” is used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. Understanding its usage is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences.
The table below provides examples of “thrown” in perfect tenses and passive voice, illustrating its versatility and importance in English grammar.
| Sentence | Tense/Voice | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The ball has been thrown. | Present Perfect Passive | Indicates that the action of throwing the ball has been completed. |
| I have thrown the ball. | Present Perfect Active | Expresses that the speaker has completed the action of throwing. |
| She had thrown the keys on the table before leaving. | Past Perfect Active | Describes an action completed before another action in the past. |
| The game will have been thrown by the time we arrive. | Future Perfect Passive | Indicates that the action will be completed by a specific time in the future. |
| The javelin was thrown over 80 meters. | Past Passive | Describes an action that was performed on the subject. |
| The dice are thrown. | Present Passive | Describes a state resulting from a past action. |
| The food had been thrown away. | Past Perfect Passive | Indicates that the action was completed before a specific time in the past. |
| The evidence will be thrown out if it’s not relevant. | Future Passive | Describes a future action that will be performed on the subject. |
| He has thrown away his chance. | Present Perfect Active | Indicates that he has lost his opportunity. |
| The gauntlet has been thrown down. | Present Perfect Passive | A challenge has been issued. |
| The accusation had been thrown out of court. | Past Perfect Passive | Indicates that the accusation was rejected by the court before some point in the past. |
| The party will have been thrown by the time we get back. | Future Perfect Passive | Indicates that the action will be completed by a specific time in the future. |
| It was thrown together in a hurry. | Past Passive | Describes something that was made or done quickly and carelessly. |
| The ball is thrown to first base. | Present Passive | Describes an action that is currently happening. |
| The old clothes had been thrown into the recycling bin. | Past Perfect Passive | Indicates that the action was completed before a specific time in the past. |
| The anchor will be thrown overboard. | Future Passive | Describes a future action that will be performed on the subject. |
| She has thrown herself into her work. | Present Perfect Active | Indicates that she has dedicated herself to her work. |
| The election has been thrown into chaos. | Present Perfect Passive | Describes a state resulting from a past action. |
| The plans had been thrown into disarray. | Past Perfect Passive | Indicates that the plans were disrupted before some point in the past. |
| The meeting will have been thrown off schedule by the delay. | Future Perfect Passive | Indicates that the action will be completed by a specific time in the future. |
| The question was thrown out to the audience. | Past Passive | Describes an action where a question was proposed to the audience. |
| The cake is thrown away because it’s spoiled. | Present Passive | Describes an action that is currently happening. |
| The documents had been thrown all over the room. | Past Perfect Passive | Indicates that the action was completed before a specific time in the past. |
| The party will be thrown next week. | Future Passive | Describes a future action that will be performed on the subject. |
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense uses “have” or “has” + “thrown” to describe an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. It can also describe an action completed at an unspecified time in the past.
The following table illustrates how “thrown” is used in the present perfect tense, emphasizing its connection between past actions and present relevance.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I have thrown the ball many times. | The action of throwing the ball happened repeatedly at unspecified times in the past. |
| She has thrown away all her old clothes. | The action of discarding clothes is completed, with the result being that she no longer has them. |
| He has thrown a party every year for his birthday. | The action of throwing a party has been a recurring event. |
| They have thrown stones into the river. | The action of throwing stones occurred at some point in their past. |
| The pitcher has thrown several curveballs in this game. | The action of throwing curveballs has happened multiple times during the current game. |
| We have thrown caution to the wind and booked a vacation. | The action of taking a risk (booking a vacation) has been completed. |
| You have thrown away a great opportunity. | The action of missing an opportunity is complete, with the consequence being that the opportunity is now lost. |
| The company has thrown its support behind the new initiative. | The action of supporting the initiative has been completed, showing their current stance. |
| The judge has thrown out the case. | The action of dismissing the case is complete, with the result that the case is no longer valid. |
| The artist has thrown paint onto the canvas to create an abstract piece. | The action of throwing paint is completed, with the result being an abstract piece of art. |
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense uses “had” + “thrown” to describe an action completed before another action in the past. It establishes a sequence of events, emphasizing which action occurred first.
The table below provides examples of “thrown” in the past perfect tense, highlighting its role in indicating actions completed before other past actions.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I had thrown the ball before he caught it. | The action of throwing occurred before the action of catching. |
| She had thrown the garbage out before the truck arrived. | The action of disposing of garbage happened before the arrival of the truck. |
| He had thrown a party, but nobody came. | The action of hosting a party occurred before the realization that nobody attended. |
| They had thrown stones into the lake before they were stopped. | The action of throwing stones happened before they were prevented from continuing. |
| The pitcher had thrown his arm out before the end of the game. | The action of injuring his arm occurred before the game concluded. |
| We had thrown caution to the wind and made risky investments. | The action of taking risks preceded the results of their investments. |
| You had thrown away your old notes before realizing you needed them. | The action of discarding notes happened before the realization that they were still valuable. |
| The company had thrown its weight behind the project before it was cancelled. | The action of supporting the project occurred before the cancellation. |
| The judge had thrown out the evidence before the trial began. | The action of dismissing the evidence happened before the commencement of the trial. |
| The artist had thrown paint onto the canvas before stepping back to admire his work. | The action of throwing paint happened before the artist took a step back. |
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense uses “will have” + “thrown” to describe an action that will be completed before a specific time or event in the future. It expresses anticipation of a completed action.
The following table presents examples of “thrown” in the future perfect tense, illustrating its use in projecting actions that will be completed by a future point in time.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| By next week, I will have thrown the surprise party. | The action of hosting the party will be completed by next week. |
| She will have thrown out all the expired food by tomorrow. | The action of discarding the food will be completed by tomorrow. |
| He will have thrown the ball a hundred times by the end of practice. | The action of throwing the ball will be completed many times by the end of practice. |
| They will have thrown stones into the lake by the time the sun sets. | The action of throwing stones will be completed by sunset. |
| The pitcher will have thrown over 100 pitches by the ninth inning. | The action of throwing pitches will be completed by the ninth inning. |
| We will have thrown caution to the wind and moved to a new city by the end of the year. | The action of moving to a new city will be completed by the end of the year. |
| You will have thrown away all your fears by the time you finish this course. | The action of overcoming fears will be completed by the end of the course. |
| The company will have thrown its resources into the new project by the next quarter. | The action of investing resources will be completed by the next quarter. |
| The judge will have thrown out the appeal by the end of the day. | The action of rejecting the appeal will be completed by the end of the day. |
| The artist will have thrown various colors to the canvas by the end of the day. | The action of throwing various colors will be completed by the end of the day. |
Passive Voice
In the passive voice, the subject receives the action, and “thrown” is used with a form of the verb “to be.” The passive voice is often used when the actor is unknown or unimportant.
Below are examples illustrating the use of “thrown” in the passive voice, showing how the subject receives the action.
| Sentence | Tense | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The ball was thrown by the pitcher. | Past Simple Passive | The ball received the action of being thrown. |
| The garbage is thrown out every Tuesday. | Present Simple Passive | The garbage receives the action of being thrown out regularly. |
| The party will be thrown next week. | Future Simple Passive | The party will receive the action of being hosted in the future. |
| Stones are often thrown into the lake. | Present Simple Passive | Stones receive the action of being thrown frequently. |
| The pitch had been thrown before the batter was ready. | Past Perfect Passive | The pitch received the action of being thrown before the batter was ready. |
| Caution is often thrown to the wind in desperate situations. | Present Simple Passive | Caution receives the action of being disregarded frequently. |
| Opportunities are sometimes thrown away without a second thought. | Present Simple Passive | Opportunities receive the action of being wasted occasionally. |
| Support was thrown behind the candidate at the last minute. | Past Simple Passive | Support received the action of being given to the candidate. |
| The evidence will be thrown out if it is deemed inadmissible. | Future Simple Passive | The evidence will receive the action of being rejected in the future. |
| Paint is often thrown onto canvases in abstract art. | Present Simple Passive | Paint receives the action of being thrown frequently in abstract art. |
Usage Rules for “Threw” and “Thrown”
The key to correctly using “threw” and “thrown” lies in understanding their grammatical roles. “Threw” is the simple past tense, used alone to describe a completed action in the past.
“Thrown” is the past participle and requires an auxiliary verb to form perfect tenses (have, has, had, will have) or passive voice constructions (is, are, was, were, been, being).
Rule 1: Use “threw” for simple past tense.
Example: He threw the ball. (Correct)
Example: He thrown the ball. (Incorrect)
Rule 2: Use “thrown” with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses.
Example: He has thrown the ball. (Correct – Present Perfect)
Example: He had thrown the ball. (Correct – Past Perfect)
Example: He will have thrown the ball. (Correct – Future Perfect)
Example: He have threw the ball. (Incorrect)
Rule 3: Use “thrown” with a form of “to be” to form the passive voice.
Example: The ball was thrown by him. (Correct – Past Passive)
Example: The ball is thrown by him. (Correct – Present Passive)
Example: The ball threw by him. (Incorrect)
Rule 4: Be mindful of irregular verb conjugations. “Throw” is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense (“threw”) and past participle (“thrown”) do not follow the standard -ed ending rule. Memorizing these forms is essential.
Common Mistakes with “Threw” and “Thrown”
One of the most common mistakes is using “threw” in place of “thrown” when a perfect tense or passive voice construction is required, and vice versa. Understanding the function of each form is essential to avoid these errors.
Here are some common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I have threw the ball. | I have thrown the ball. | “Thrown” is required with “have” to form the present perfect tense. |
| He was threw the ball. | He was thrown the ball. | “Thrown” is required with “was” to form the past passive voice. |
| She threw the ball already. | She has thrown the ball already. | The present perfect tense “has thrown” is needed to indicate an action completed at an unspecified time in the past. |
| They had threw the garbage out. | They had thrown the garbage out. | “Thrown” is the correct past participle form to use with “had” in the past perfect tense. |
| The window was broke. | The window was broken. | “Broken” is the past participle of “break,” used in the passive voice here. |
| I seen him yesterday. | I saw him yesterday. | “Saw” is the correct simple past tense of “see.” |
| We have went to the store. | We have gone to the store. | “Gone” is the correct past participle of “go,” used with “have” to form the present perfect. |
| She done a good job. | She did a good job. | “Did” is the correct simple past tense of “do.” |
| He has ate all the cookies. | He has eaten all the cookies. | “Eaten” is the correct past participle of “eat,” used with “has” to form the present perfect. |
| They have chose the winner. | They have chosen the winner. | “Chosen” is the correct past participle of “choose,” used with “have” to form the present perfect. |
Practice Exercises
These exercises will help you practice using “threw” and “thrown” correctly in various contexts. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of their usage.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “throw” (threw or thrown).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He ______ the ball over the fence. | threw |
| 2. The javelin has been ______ a long distance. | thrown |
| 3. She had ______ away all her old letters. | thrown |
| 4. They ______ stones into the river. | threw |
| 5. The dice are ______. | thrown |
| 6. I have never ______ a party like this before. | thrown |
| 7. The garbage was ______ out this morning. | thrown |
| 8. He ______ the keys on the table. | threw |
| 9. The opportunity was ______ away. | thrown |
| 10. She ______ a glance at her watch. | threw |
Exercise 2: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences. If the sentence is correct, write “Correct.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I have threw the garbage out already. | I have thrown the garbage out already. |
| 2. She threw the ball. | Correct |
| 3. The ball was threw by him. | The ball was thrown by him. |
| 4. He had thrown the party last week. | Correct |
| 5. They have threw stones into the pond. | They have thrown stones into the pond. |
| 6. She throwed the ball to first base. | She threw the ball to first base. |
| 7. He has thrown away his chance. | Correct |
| 8. The letter was threw in the trash. | The letter was thrown in the trash. |
| 9. We had threw a party before you arrived. | We had thrown a party before you arrived. |
| 10. She has threw herself into her work. | She has thrown herself into her work. |
Exercise 3: Sentence Construction
Create your own sentences using “threw” and “thrown” in the specified tenses.
| Tense/Voice | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Simple Past (Threw) | I threw the frisbee to my dog in the park. |
| Present Perfect (Thrown) | She has thrown away all the old newspapers. |
| Past Perfect (Thrown) | He had thrown the ball before I could catch it. |
| Future Perfect (Thrown) | By the time you arrive, I will have thrown the party. |
| Passive Voice (Thrown) | The bouquet was thrown to the crowd at the wedding. |
| Simple Past (Threw) | The child threw his toys across the room in anger. |
| Present Perfect (Thrown) | They have thrown a lot of garbage in the river. |
| Past Perfect (Thrown) | He had thrown his clothes on the floor before going to bed. |
| Future Perfect (Thrown) | By next year, the company will have thrown all its resources into the new project. |
| Passive Voice (Thrown) | The stone was thrown into the lake by an unknown person. |
Advanced Topics: Idiomatic Expressions
The verb “throw” appears in many idiomatic expressions, where its meaning extends beyond the literal act of propelling something through the air. Understanding these expressions enriches your comprehension of English and allows for more nuanced communication.
- Throw in the towel: To give up or quit. After several failed attempts, he decided to throw in the towel.
- Throw someone under the bus: To betray someone for personal gain. He threw his colleague under the bus to get promoted.
- Throw a party: To host a celebration. They are throwing a party for their anniversary.
- Throw caution to the wind: To act recklessly or without concern for the consequences. She threw caution to the wind and quit her job to travel the world.
- Throw a fit: To have a tantrum or outburst of anger. The child threw a fit when his mother refused to buy him candy.
- Throw someone off: To confuse or distract someone. The unexpected question threw him off.
- Throw something together: To quickly assemble or create something. I just threw together a quick salad for lunch.
- Throw your weight around: To use your power or influence in an assertive or domineering way. He tends to throw his weight around at work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “threw” and “thrown.”
- Q: When should I use “threw” instead of “thrown”?
A: Use “threw” when you need the simple past tense of “throw.” This is for actions that were completed in the past and do not require an auxiliary verb. For example, “Yesterday, I threw the ball to my friend.”
- Q: What auxiliary verbs are used with “thrown”?
A: “Thrown” is used with auxiliary verbs like “have,” “has,” “had,” “will have,” “is,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “been,” and “being.” These help form perfect tenses (e.g., “I have thrown”) and passive voice constructions (e.g., “The ball was thrown”).
- Q: Can “thrown” be used without an auxiliary verb?
A: No, “thrown” cannot be used without an auxiliary verb. It is
a past participle and always requires a helping verb to form a complete verb phrase.
- Q: How do I remember whether to use “threw” or “thrown”?
A: Think of “threw” as a standalone action in the past. “Thrown,” on the other hand, always needs a helper (auxiliary verb) to complete its meaning in a sentence.
- Q: Is “throwing” a correct form of “throw”?
A: Yes, “throwing” is the present participle or gerund form of “throw.” It’s used in continuous tenses (e.g., “I am throwing the ball”) and as a noun (e.g., “Throwing is my favorite activity”).
Conclusion
Mastering the correct usage of “threw” and “thrown” is essential for clear and accurate communication in English. By understanding the roles of simple past tense and past participle, and by practicing with examples and exercises, you can confidently avoid common mistakes.
Remember that “threw” stands alone to describe past actions, while “thrown” always partners with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find it second nature to choose the correct form!
