Threw vs. Thrown — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 23, 2023
Threw" is the simple past tense of the verb "to throw," describing a completed action. "Thrown" is the past participle form of "to throw," often used with auxiliary verbs like "has," "had," or "have."
Difference Between Threw and Thrown
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Key Differences
"Threw" is the simple past tense of the verb "to throw," indicating that the action was completed at a specific point in the past. "Thrown" is the past participle form, often requiring an auxiliary verb to indicate the tense.
"Threw" can stand alone as a verb in a sentence, for example, "He threw the ball." "Thrown," on the other hand, must be used with an auxiliary verb like "have" or "had" to clarify the tense, as in "He has thrown the ball."
In sentences, "threw" often directly follows the subject to indicate who performed the action. In contrast, "thrown" is used in more complex tenses and often comes after an auxiliary verb and the subject, such as in "The ball has been thrown."
Both "threw" and "thrown" are derived from the base verb "to throw," but they serve different grammatical purposes. "Threw" is generally used to describe simple, straightforward actions in the past, while "thrown" is used for complex tenses, describing actions in relation to other events or times.
Though both "threw" and "thrown" describe a similar action, their usage depends on the complexity of the sentence structure and what the speaker or writer aims to express in terms of time, completion, and relation to other actions or events.
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Comparison Chart
Tense
Simple Past
Past Participle
Auxiliary Requirement
None
Requires an Auxiliary
Sentence Structure
Directly follows subject
Follows Auxiliary & Subject
Complexity
Simple
Complex
Action Timing
Specific Past Time
Relative to Other Events
Compare with Definitions
Threw
Threw denotes a completed action.
He threw the trash into the bin.
Thrown
Thrown is the past participle of "to throw."
The ball has been thrown.
Threw
Threw follows the subject in a sentence.
Sarah threw a surprise party for Mark.
Thrown
Thrown is used in complex tenses.
The dice had been thrown.
Threw
Threw is the simple past tense of "to throw."
She threw the ball high into the air.
Thrown
Thrown comes after the auxiliary verb and subject in a sentence.
The keys have been thrown into the lake.
Threw
Threw does not require an auxiliary verb.
They threw caution to the wind.
Thrown
Thrown requires an auxiliary verb.
He has thrown the papers away.
Threw
Threw is often used for straightforward past actions.
The pitcher threw a fastball.
Thrown
Thrown often indicates an action's relationship to other events.
After the stone was thrown, the surface rippled.
Threw
Past tense of throw.
Thrown
Past participle of throw.
Threw
Past participle of throw
Thrown
Past participle of throw
Thrown
Launched by throwing.
A thrown weapon
Thrown
Twisted into a single thread, as silk or yarn.
Thrown
(slang) Confused; perplexed.
I was totally thrown by his bizarre remarks.
Thrown
Caused to fall to the ground;
The thrown rider got back on his horse
A thrown wrestler
A ball player thrown for a loss
Thrown
Twisted together; as of filaments spun into a thread;
Thrown silk is raw silk that has been twisted and doubled into yarn
Common Curiosities
Can "threw" be used to describe ongoing actions?
No, "threw" describes a completed action in the past.
Does "thrown" need an auxiliary verb?
Yes, "thrown" usually requires an auxiliary verb like "have" or "had."
Is "thrown" used in passive voice?
Yes, "thrown" can be used in passive constructions.
Can "threw" stand alone in a sentence?
Yes, "threw" can stand alone without an auxiliary verb.
Can "threw" be used in complex tenses?
No, "threw" is used in simple past tense.
What kind of sentences typically use "thrown"?
"Thrown" is often used in complex tenses and passive voice.
Can "thrown" indicate ongoing action?
"Thrown" can suggest ongoing relevance, especially when used with "have" or "has."
Is "threw" a past tense verb?
Yes, "threw" is the simple past tense of "to throw."
What is the base verb for "thrown"?
The base verb for "thrown" is "to throw."
Does "threw" describe a specific time?
Yes, "threw" refers to a specific point in the past.
How is "threw" used in a sentence?
"Threw" often directly follows the subject in a sentence.
Is "threw" a complex verb form?
No, "threw" is a simple verb form, used in the simple past tense.
Where does "thrown" usually appear in a sentence?
"Thrown" often comes after an auxiliary verb and the subject.
Can "thrown" describe a completed action?
Yes, but it often requires an auxiliary verb to indicate completion.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
