thrown

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "thrown" is correct in written English.
It is typically used as the past participle of "throw," often in contexts involving something being propelled or cast away. Example: "The ball was thrown across the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Politics

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are now consulting regarding potential legal action and hoping against hope that the 12 libraries being thrown over to the community with the threat of volunteer-or-lose-it, will survive long enough for the future council members to realise their costly error and resume running this vital social and educational service.

The Guardian - Books

He told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4: "It means the whole thing is thrown up in the air.

The Guardian

The game was twice suspended, briefly in the first half after a large inflatable banana was thrown on to the pitch and for around 15 minutes after the interval because of objects hurled from the stands.

The Guardian - Sport

Tesco's recovery was thrown into doubt on Wednesday after UK sales fell in the first quarter.

The Guardian - Business

Another is the classic thing that gets thrown at Labour politicians, which is: "How can you talk about all these social things when you're from a privileged background?" Although I have a number of sort of red flags on my background that would technically make it unprivileged.

The Guardian

But after a clear defeat – 55.3% to 44.7% – the SNP had been thrown a lifeline within hours of the result, undermining the Labour party and highlighting a path to a second referendum.

The Guardian

He added that the programmes featured actors talking about the "adrenaline rush" experienced during the riots, taking revenge against police and bricks being thrown at cars – all issues raised during the trial.

The Guardian

LD 45.9%, Con 33.3%, Lab 13.7%, Ukip 2.1% The independence referendum has thrown everything up in the air as far as the destiny of Scotland's 59 Westminster seats are concerned.

The Guardian

In recent years, a variety of challenges and opportunities have been thrown at the NFP sector, from public service delivery to mergers and the need to diversify income.

The Guardian

Six buses lay gutted nearby, the driver of one thrown, dead, halfway through his window.

The Guardian

The relevant authorities claim that space is inevitably limited, and outmoded guide books and old railway timetables can be safely thrown away – though what is binned usually goes much further.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, "thrown" can effectively convey a sense of sudden change or disruption, such as "the negotiations were thrown into chaos".

Common error

Avoid using "threw" when the past participle is required. Remember that "threw" is the simple past tense, while "thrown" requires a helping verb such as 'has', 'have', 'had', 'is', 'are', or 'were'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thrown" is that of a past participle form of the verb throw. It is used to form perfect verb tenses (e.g., has thrown) and passive voice constructions (e.g., was thrown). Ludwig AI indicates this is standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Lifestyle

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thrown" functions primarily as the past participle of the verb "throw", finding broad application across diverse contexts. It is grammatically correct and commonly used, as validated by Ludwig AI and supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources such as The Guardian and BBC. While the word maintains a neutral register, its usage frequency is notably high within News & Media, Sport, and Formal & Business contexts. To ensure precision in writing, be mindful of its distinct meaning—propelling through the air—and avoid confusing it with its simple past tense form "threw".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurled

Indicates a forceful and rapid projection of an object.

cast

Implies a deliberate act of projecting something, often with a specific intention.

pitched

Suggests a more controlled and aimed throw, often in a sporting context.

flung

Conveys a sense of carelessness or impulsiveness in the act of throwing.

launched

Often used for projecting something with considerable force or in a formal manner.

discarded

Focuses on the act of getting rid of something, rather than the throwing motion.

ejected

Implies a forceful expulsion or removal from a place or situation.

expelled

Suggests a formal or official removal or ejection.

projected

Indicates a forward or outward movement or estimation.

subjected

Implies being made to undergo or experience something, often negative.

FAQs

How is "thrown" typically used in a sentence?

"Thrown" is generally used as the past participle of the verb "throw", often with auxiliary verbs like 'is', 'was', 'has', or 'had'. For example, "The ball was thrown" or "He had thrown the package away."

What are some alternatives to using "thrown" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "hurled", "cast", or "flung" to describe a forceful projection. If referring to disposal, consider "discarded" or "ejected".

Is it correct to say "I threw the ball" or "I have thrown the ball"?

"I threw the ball" is the simple past tense and is correct for describing a completed action in the past. "I have thrown the ball" is the present perfect tense and is used to describe an action completed at an unspecified time in the past or one that has relevance to the present.

What is the difference between "thrown" and "thrust"?

"Thrown" implies propelling something through the air, while "thrust" suggests pushing something with force in a linear direction. The context determines which word is more appropriate.