threw away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "threw away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of discarding or getting rid of something. Example: "After cleaning out the garage, I threw away all the old boxes that were taking up space."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We threw away unique opportunities.

The New Yorker

"He never threw away anything.

The New Yorker

Most of his efforts he threw away.

The Economist

Correspondence with nobodies he threw away.

The New Yorker

I threw away the tablets".

The Guardian

He threw away the hubcap.

The New Yorker

We threw away unique opportunities..

The New Yorker

"Gupta threw away his duties, threw away his responsibilities and broke the law," Mr. Brodsky said.

The New York Times

I threw away my student work.

The Guardian - Arts

We threw away practically everything we owned".

The New York Times

Follically challenged, I threw away my hairbrush.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "threw away" to describe a physical action of discarding something, whether literally or figuratively. For example, "He threw away the old newspaper" or "They threw away their chance to win."

Common error

Avoid using "threw away" when a more precise phrasal verb is appropriate. For instance, if you mean to get rid of something secretly or illegally, "dumped" might be a better choice than "threw away".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "threw away" is that of a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "threw" (past tense of throw) with the particle "away" to create a new verb with a distinct meaning: to discard or get rid of something. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "threw away" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of discarding or wasting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct and widely accepted. While it is suitable for a range of contexts, from everyday conversation to news reporting, users should be mindful of its slightly informal tone and consider more formal alternatives like "discarded" in academic or professional settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating its general applicability. Understanding these nuances will help ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discarded

Implies a more formal and deliberate act of getting rid of something.

disposed of

Suggests a more official or systematic method of removing something.

got rid of

A more general and informal way of saying "threw away".

tossed out

Suggests a casual and quick way of throwing something away.

dumped

A less formal way of saying threw away; can sometimes imply carelessness.

scrapped

Implies something is broken or unusable and is being discarded.

chucked out

British English informal equivalent of threw away.

jettisoned

Indicates a forceful or hasty act of discarding, often in a critical situation.

wasted

Focuses on the loss of value or opportunity associated with discarding something.

relinquished

Implies giving up something valuable or cherished.

FAQs

What's the difference between "threw away" and "discarded"?

"Threw away" is more informal and implies a quick, sometimes careless action. "Discarded" is more formal and suggests a deliberate decision to get rid of something, as in "He discarded the evidence".

How can I use "threw away" in a sentence?

You can use "threw away" to describe the act of discarding something physical, such as "She threw away the broken toy". It can also be used figuratively, as in "He threw away his opportunity by not studying".

What are some alternatives to "threw away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "got rid of", "disposed of", "discarded", or "dumped".

Is it correct to say "throwed away" instead of "threw away"?

No, "throwed" is not the correct past tense of "throw". The correct past tense is "threw", so the correct phrase is "threw away".