he can throw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he can throw" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate someone's ability to throw something, typically in a sports or physical context. Example: "In the game, he can throw the ball with incredible accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He can throw down if he wants.

The New York Times - Sports

"He can throw all day long if you want him to.

The New York Times - Sports

He can throw.

The New York Times - Sports

Yeah, he can throw 100.

The New York Times - Sports

And we all know he can throw.

The New York Times - Sports

He can throw out the first bitch.

The New York Times - Books

He can run, he can throw".

The New York Times - Sports

But he knows he can throw them for strikes.

The New York Times - Sports

But he can throw the ball well, too.

The New York Times - Sports

He can throw a pretty good changeup now.

The New York Times - Sports

He can throw as well as he runs.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he can throw" to clearly indicate someone's current ability to perform a throwing action, especially in contexts where the ability is relevant or notable. For instance, in sports commentary or character descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "he can throw" without specifying what or how he throws. Adding details provides clarity and impact, such as "he can throw a fastball at 90 mph" instead of just "he can throw".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he can throw" functions as a verb phrase expressing someone's ability or potential to perform the action of throwing. Ludwig shows numerous examples in which this phrase is used to describe an individual's physical capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he can throw" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to denote someone's ability to throw. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it is particularly common in sports reporting and general news, indicating a neutral register. While the phrase is versatile, providing context about what or how someone throws enhances clarity. Alternatives such as "he is able to throw" or "he has the ability to throw" exist, but "he can throw" remains a straightforward and effective way to communicate this capability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is able to throw

Uses "is able to" instead of "can" to denote ability.

he has the ability to throw

Replaces "can" with "has the ability to", emphasizing capability.

he is capable of throwing

Employs "is capable of" as a formal alternative to "can".

he's got a good arm

Uses a more idiomatic expression to describe throwing ability.

he possesses the skill to throw

Replaces "can" with "possesses the skill to", adding formality.

he knows how to throw

Focuses on the knowledge or technique of throwing.

he is known to throw

Implies that throwing is a characteristic or common action.

he will throw

Shifts from ability to a future action or intention.

he can hurl

Replaces "throw" with "hurl", suggesting a forceful throw.

he is permitted to throw

Implies the ability to throw is conditional upon some permission.

FAQs

How can I use "he can throw" in a sentence?

You can use "he can throw" to describe someone's ability to throw something. For example, "He can throw the football a long distance" or "He can throw a curveball effectively".

What are some alternatives to "he can throw"?

Alternatives include "he is able to throw", "he has the ability to throw", or "he is capable of throwing" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he can threw"?

No, "he can threw" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "he can throw", where "throw" is the base form of the verb following the modal verb "can".

What does it mean when someone says "he's got a good arm"?

Saying "he's got a good arm" is an idiomatic way of saying that someone "he can throw" with power and accuracy, typically in a sports context like baseball or football. It implies that they have a strong throwing ability.