Threw or Thrown? Which Is Correct?

English grammar can sometimes be tricky, especially when it comes to verb forms. Two words that often confuse people are “threw” and “thrown.” Both come from the verb “throw,” but they are used in different grammatical contexts. If you’re uncertain about when to use “threw” and when to use “thrown,” don’t worry—you’re not alone! In this article, we will explore the differences between these two words, provide examples that clarify their correct usage, and offer practice questions to help solidify your understanding.

By the end of this article, you’ll be able to confidently use “threw” and “thrown” in your writing and speech, avoiding any common mistakes.

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The Difference Between “Threw” and “Thrown”

1. Threw: Simple Past Tense

“Threw” is the simple past tense of the verb “throw.” You use “threw” when you’re talking about an action that happened in the past. It refers to one specific instance of throwing something.

Examples of “Threw”:

• She threw the ball to her friend yesterday.
  (This action took place in the past.)
• He threw the paper into the recycling bin.
  (The action of throwing the paper happened in the past.)
• They threw a party last weekend.
  (The action of hosting a party occurred in the past.)

2. Thrown: Past Participle

“Thrown” is the past participle of the verb “throw.” It is used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. “Thrown” typically follows an auxiliary verb such as “has,” “have,” “had,” “was,” or “were.”

Examples of “Thrown”:

• The ball was thrown across the field.
  (Passive voice: the action was done to the ball.)
• He has thrown the ball many times before.
  (Present perfect tense: the action has occurred multiple times up to the present.)
• By the time I arrived, they had already thrown the party.
  (Past perfect tense: the action was completed before another past event.)

Quick Recap:

• “Threw”: Simple past tense of “throw.” Use it when the action occurred in the past.
• “Thrown”: Past participle of “throw.” Use it in perfect tenses or passive constructions.

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How to Use “Threw” and “Thrown” Correctly

Now that we’ve covered the basic definitions of “threw” and “thrown,” let’s dive deeper into how to use them properly in sentences.

1. Using “Threw” in Simple Past Tense

Whenever you are talking about an action that happened in the past and does not need to be connected to other events in time, “threw” is the correct choice. In this case, we are simply describing an action that happened and is now finished.

Examples:

• I threw the keys on the table when I came in.
  (The action of throwing the keys happened in the past and is complete.)
• She threw her coat on the chair after a long day.
  (The coat was thrown in the past.)
• They threw a surprise party for their friend last night.
  (The party took place in the past, so “threw” is correct.)

2. Using “Thrown” in Perfect Tenses and Passive Voice

“Thrown” is used in more complex grammatical constructions such as perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, future perfect) and passive voice.

• In perfect tenses, we use “has,” “have,” or “had” before the past participle “thrown.”
• In passive voice, we use “was,” “were,” “is,” or “are” before “thrown.”

Examples:

• She has thrown many parties over the years.
  (Present perfect tense: the action has occurred multiple times up to now.)
• By the time I called, they had already thrown the old furniture away.
  (Past perfect tense: the action of throwing away the furniture happened before another past event.)
• The ball was thrown by the pitcher.
  (Passive voice: the subject (ball) received the action of being thrown.)

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Using “Thrown” Instead of “Threw”

A common mistake is using “thrown” when “threw” is needed. People often do this because they confuse the past tense with the past participle. Remember, “threw” is used when you are referring to a completed action in the past, while “thrown” is used in perfect tenses or passive constructions.

Incorrect:

• She thrown the ball over the fence yesterday. ❌

Correct:

• She threw the ball over the fence yesterday. ✔️
  (The action happened in the past, so “threw” is correct.)

2. Using “Threw” Instead of “Thrown” in Perfect Tenses

Another common mistake is using “threw” in perfect tenses when “thrown” should be used. Perfect tenses require the past participle form of the verb, which in this case is “thrown.”

Incorrect:

• He has threw the ball many times before. ❌

Correct:

• He has thrown the ball many times before. ✔️
  (In the present perfect tense, “thrown” is the correct past participle.)

3. Forgetting to Use “Thrown” in Passive Voice

In passive voice constructions, we always use the past participle form of the verb. This means that in passive sentences, “thrown” should be used, not “threw.”

Incorrect:

• The stone was threw by the child. ❌

Correct:

• The stone was thrown by the child. ✔️
  (In the passive voice, “thrown” is the correct past participle.)

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How to Remember the Difference

Here are some simple tips to help you remember when to use “threw” and “thrown.”

1. Think of “Threw” as “Yesterday”

Since “threw” is the simple past tense, it’s often used when talking about something that happened “yesterday” or at a specific point in the past. When you’re describing a completed action that happened at a particular time, use “threw.”

Example:

• I threw the ball yesterday.

2. Remember “Thrown” Needs a Helper

“Thrown” is always used with auxiliary (helping) verbs such as “has,” “have,” “had,” “was,” or “were.” If you see one of these words in the sentence, you likely need to use “thrown.”

Examples:

• She has thrown the ball many times before.
• The ball was thrown by the player.

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Practice Questions: Threw or Thrown?

Let’s test your understanding with some practice questions. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

Question 1:

Which word is correct in the following sentence?

• Yesterday, I _ the ball to my dog.

a) threw
b) thrown

Answer:
a) threw

Explanation: “Threw” is the simple past tense, and the sentence is referring to something that happened yesterday.

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Question 2:

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

• The book was _ across the room by an angry student.

a) threw
b) thrown

Answer:
b) thrown

Explanation: This sentence is in the passive voice, so “thrown” (the past participle) is the correct word.

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Question 3:

True or False:
The word “threw” is the past participle of “throw.”

Answer:
False

Explanation: “Threw” is the simple past tense of “throw.” “Thrown” is the past participle.

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Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) She has threw the ball many times before.
b) She has thrown the ball many times before.

Answer:
*b) She has thrown the ball many times before.

Explanation: In this sentence, “has” is an auxiliary verb, so “thrown” (the past participle) is correct.

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Question 5:

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

• They _ the party last weekend.

a) threw
b) thrown

Answer:
a) threw

Explanation: The sentence refers to a specific event that happened last weekend, so “threw” (simple past tense) is correct.

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Why Correct Usage Matters

Using “threw” and “thrown” correctly is important for clear communication. When you misuse these words, it can make your writing sound awkward or ungrammatical. In formal writing, such as academic papers, business communications, or professional emails, using the wrong form of a verb can affect the clarity and credibility of your message.

For example, if you use “threw” instead of “thrown” in a perfect tense, your reader may be distracted by the mistake and lose focus on what you’re trying to communicate.

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Conclusion

In summary, “threw” and “thrown” are two different forms of the verb “throw,” and they are used in different grammatical contexts. “Threw” is the simple past tense, used when referring to something that happened in the past. “Thrown” is the past participle, used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. By understanding the difference and practicing their correct usage, you can avoid common mistakes and improve the clarity and correctness of your writing.

Key Takeaways:

• “Threw”: Simple past tense, used for actions completed in the past.
• “Thrown”: Past participle, used in perfect tenses and passive constructions.
• Remember: “Threw” is for specific past actions, and “Thrown” is for perfect tenses or passive voice.

By following these rules and practicing, you’ll be able to confidently use “threw” and “thrown” in your writing and speech.