did not throw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not throw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone refrained from throwing something in a specific context, often in past tense narratives or explanations. Example: "Despite the temptation, she did not throw the ball during the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

McNabb did not throw an interception.

The New York Times - Sports

But Robinson did not throw tirades habitually.

The New York Times - Sports

The Midshipmen did not throw a pass.

The New York Times - Sports

Piazza did not throw a punch.

The New York Times - Sports

He did not throw away chances tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

He did not throw a touchdown, but even more important he did not throw an interception.

The New York Times - Sports

But it did not throw the Rangers off.

The New York Times - Sports

But he did not throw in Greek-style temples.

The New York Times - Arts

On Saturday, Wright took grounders but did not throw.

The New York Times - Sports

Girardi did not throw a pitch or swing a bat.

The New York Times - Sports

Sanchez did not throw a touchdown pass in either game, but he did not throw an interception, either.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not throw" to clearly indicate a lack of throwing action, especially when emphasizing a decision or expected action that did not occur.

Common error

Avoid using "did not throw" when a simpler negative form like "didn't throw" suffices, unless you need to emphasize the deliberate choice or absence of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not throw" functions as a verbal phrase expressing negation of the action of throwing. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showing examples where it's used to describe an action that was intentionally or circumstantially avoided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not throw" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the absence of a throwing action. Ludwig AI confirms that. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it appears most commonly in news and sports contexts, serving to highlight decisions, correct assumptions, or describe limitations. Alternatives include phrases like "refrained from throwing" or "didn't toss", offering nuanced ways to express the same idea. When using "did not throw", emphasize clarity and intent while avoiding overuse in informal contexts where "didn't throw" suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrained from throwing

Formal synonym, emphasizes conscious restraint.

chose not to throw

Similar to elected, but slightly less formal.

abstained from throwing

Highlights deliberate avoidance of throwing.

elected not to throw

Highlights a conscious choice against throwing.

didn't toss

More casual alternative to "throw".

avoided throwing

Focuses on actively preventing the act of throwing.

held back from throwing

Suggests an urge to throw that was resisted.

did not hurl

Implies a forceful throw, so its absence is more notable.

kept from throwing

Emphasizes prevention or restraint from an external force.

passed instead of throwing

Suggests an alternative action was taken instead of throwing, often in a sports context.

FAQs

How can I use "did not throw" in a sentence?

Use "did not throw" to emphasize the absence of a throwing action. For example: "Despite the pressure, he "did not throw" the ball away."

What can I say instead of "did not throw"?

Alternatives include "refrained from throwing", "didn't toss", or "chose not to throw", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "did not throw" or "didn't throw"?

Both are correct, but "didn't throw" is more informal and commonly used. "Did not throw" is used for emphasis.

In what contexts is "did not throw" most appropriate?

"Did not throw" is useful when highlighting a conscious decision to abstain from throwing or when correcting an assumption that a throwing action occurred.