thrown away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'thrown away' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as an idiom to describe the action of discarding something in a careless manner, as in "The old documents were thrown away without being looked at."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Snakes are thrown away.

The New Yorker

Nothing is thrown away.

The Economist

"It's not thrown away.

The Guardian - Music

These are things that were thrown away.

The New Yorker

Sometimes photographs just got thrown away.

The New York Times

"The pickling liquid was being thrown away.

The New York Times - Food

"Two points thrown away," Allardyce said.

Independent

Had I thrown away more critical software?

The New York Times - Tech

It just got thrown away.

The New Yorker

The country's been thrown away".

The Guardian - Music

There was nothing thrown away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thrown away", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It can imply waste, carelessness, or a deliberate decision to discard something. Choose synonyms like "discarded" or "wasted" for more precision.

Common error

While "thrown away" is widely understood, it can sound too informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "discarded" or "eliminated" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thrown away" functions as a past participle in passive constructions. It describes the state of something that has been discarded or eliminated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thrown away" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that has been discarded. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives like "discarded" in professional or academic settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, indicating its relevance in everyday discussions and reporting. Understanding the nuances of "thrown away" and its synonyms can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discarded

A more formal and direct synonym, implying a deliberate act of getting rid of something.

wasted

Emphasizes the loss of value or potential benefit from something.

jettisoned

Implies abandoning or discarding something, often in a crisis situation.

dumped

Suggests discarding something carelessly or in an inappropriate place.

scrapped

Indicates something is discarded because it is no longer usable or valuable.

got rid of

A more casual and general way of saying something was discarded.

dispensed with

Implies doing away with something that is no longer needed or useful, often in a formal setting.

abandoned

Suggests leaving something behind, often with the implication that it is no longer wanted or cared for.

rejected

Implies a deliberate refusal to accept or use something.

ditched

A slang term for discarding something, often implying that it was done quickly and without much thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "thrown away" to describe something that has been discarded, such as, "The old newspapers were "thrown away" after they were read."

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

"Thrown away" often implies a more casual or careless act of disposal, while "discarded" suggests a more deliberate and thoughtful decision to get rid of something.

What can I say instead of "thrown away" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "discarded", "eliminated", or "disposed of".

Is it always negative to say something is "thrown away"?

Not necessarily. While it often implies waste or loss, it can also describe a necessary action, such as "The expired medicine was "thrown away" for safety reasons."