throw it away

USAGE SUMMARY

"throw it away" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, but typically means to discard or get rid of something. Example: "I accidentally spilled coffee on my shirt, so I had to throw it away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't throw it away, Jenny.

The New Yorker

You would throw it away?

The New York Times - Arts

I throw it away".

The New York Times - Magazine

Oyez! Throw it away?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why throw it away?

The Guardian - Books

Don't throw it away.

The Guardian - Film

"You use something and throw it away.

The New York Times

You can't just throw it away.

The New Yorker

If it breaks, you throw it away.

The Guardian - Tech

Would he just throw it away?

The New York Times

He can't throw it away.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "throw it away" when you want to express the act of discarding something, whether literally into the trash or figuratively, like abandoning an idea or plan. Ensure the context makes it clear what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the pronoun 'it' has a clear and immediate referent. If the object being discarded is not obvious from the preceding sentence, specify it directly. For instance, instead of saying 'It's broken, just "throw it away",' say 'The vase is broken, just "throw it away".'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "throw it away" functions as a phrasal verb, where "throw" is the main verb and "away" is the particle. It describes the action of discarding something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "throw it away" is a grammatically correct and very common phrasal verb used to describe the act of discarding something. While Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use, it's generally considered informal and more appropriate for everyday conversation than formal writing. For professional or academic contexts, consider using alternatives such as "dispose of it" or "discard it". Ludwig's examples show that the phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki and Science sources, demonstrating its broad applicability. Remember to ensure the referent of 'it' is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

toss it out

Similar to "throw it away" but emphasizes a light, casual action.

get rid of it

A common and versatile way to say to eliminate something.

discard it

A more formal synonym emphasizing disposal.

dispose of it

A formal and more technical term for getting rid of something.

bin it

A British English equivalent of throwing something in the trash.

chuck it

An informal way to say "throw it away".

dump it

Implies a quick and often careless disposal.

scrap it

Suggests discarding something because it's no longer useful or valuable.

eliminate it

A formal synonym, often used in a business or strategic context.

jettison it

Suggests discarding something, often from a moving vehicle or vessel, implying urgency.

FAQs

How can I use "throw it away" in a sentence?

You can use "throw it away" to describe the act of discarding something physically, like "I need to "throw it away"" or metaphorically, such as abandoning an idea, as in "Let's "throw it away" and start over".

What's a more formal alternative to "throw it away"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "dispose of it" or "discard it", especially in professional or academic contexts.

Is "throw it away" appropriate for all contexts?

While "throw it away" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. In professional settings, especially when communicating important decisions, it's better to opt for a more formal expression like "eliminate it" or "reject it".

Which is correct, "throw it away" or "throw away it"?

"Throw it away" is the correct word order. "Throw away it" is grammatically incorrect because "throw away" is a phrasal verb, and the pronoun 'it' must come between the verb and the particle.