I had thrown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had thrown" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an action that was completed before another action in the past, often in the context of the past perfect tense. Example: "By the time she arrived, I had thrown the ball to the dog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I knew I had thrown it away.

Independent

I had thrown out the galleys.

The New Yorker

"I had thrown up all night long," he said.

The New York Times

They thought I had thrown my education and career away.

The Guardian

Cleaning was an activity I had thrown myself into in recent days.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then we had to go back and I had thrown the baby out with the bathwater.

Independent

I had thrown temper tantrums with the audiologists trying to help me.

The New York Times - Science

"Don't touch me," she said, as if I had thrown a punch.

The New Yorker

I watched her fiddle with the radio I had thrown away.

The New Yorker

"If I had thrown to second, it would have been a balk.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I've thrown up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I had thrown" to clearly establish that an action of throwing occurred before another event in the past. This helps to create a clear sequence of events in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense when the past perfect ("I had thrown") is needed to show that the throwing action preceded another past action. Using the wrong tense can confuse the timeline of events.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I had thrown" is to form the past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another action or time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I had thrown" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction in English to denote an action completed before another event in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, it's important to use "I had thrown" to maintain a clear timeline of events. While alternatives like "I had tossed" or "I had flung" exist, "I had thrown" remains a versatile and standard choice. Avoiding tense errors and ensuring proper sequencing will enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had tossed

Replaces "thrown" with "tossed", implying a lighter, less forceful action.

I had flung

Substitutes "thrown" with "flung", suggesting a more energetic and uncontrolled action.

I had hurled

Replaces "thrown" with "hurled", indicating a forceful and often aggressive action.

I had cast

Uses "cast" instead of "thrown", implying a deliberate and precise action, like casting a fishing line.

I had pitched

Replaces "thrown" with "pitched", suggesting a specific type of throw, often in a sporting context.

I had lobbed

Substitutes "thrown" with "lobbed", indicating a gentle, arcing throw.

I had chucked

Replaces "thrown" with "chucked", implying a casual and informal throw.

I had heaved

Uses "heaved" instead of "thrown", suggesting a heavy or laborious throw.

I had launched

Substitutes "thrown" with "launched", implying a more formal or technical throw, like launching a rocket.

I had propelled

Replaces "thrown" with "propelled", suggesting a mechanical or forceful movement.

FAQs

How can I use "I had thrown" in a sentence?

Use "I had thrown" to indicate an action of throwing that was completed before another action in the past. For example, "I had thrown the ball before he arrived."

What can I say instead of "I had thrown"?

Alternatives include "I had tossed", "I had flung", or "I had hurled", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "I had thrown" versus "I threw"?

"I had thrown" indicates an action completed before another past action, while "I threw" simply describes an action in the past. For instance, "I had thrown the trash out before the guests arrived" versus "I threw the trash out yesterday."

Is it ever correct to say "I have thrown" instead of "I had thrown"?

"I have thrown" is present perfect and refers to a past action with relevance to the present, whereas "I had thrown" is past perfect and refers to an action completed before another point in the past. They are used in different contexts.