B1 Prepositions 17 min read Easy

Phrasal Verb: Throw away

Master throw away to confidently discard, prevent waste, and manage opportunities in English.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'throw away' to talk about discarding trash or wasting chances, but remember: pronouns MUST go in the middle.

  • Use it for physical trash: 'Throw away the old box.'
  • Use it for lost opportunities: 'Don't throw away your future.'
  • Pronouns go in the middle: 'Throw IT away,' never 'Throw away it.'
Subject + Throw + (Object) + Away

Overview

"Throw away" means to put things in the trash. Use it for trash or for lost chances. This is an important phrase to learn.

You will speak better English when you use it correctly.

This lesson helps you use "throw away" well. You will learn the rules and speak clearly.

How This Grammar Works

You can put names in two places. But words like "it" have one special place.
Say "Throw these papers away." Or say "Throw away these papers." Both ways are good.
You can choose either way. Both are correct to use.
Put "it" or "them" in the middle. Say "Throw it away." Never say "Throw away it."
This rule makes your English sound good and easy to understand.
Small words go in the middle. This helps people understand you fast.
If you make a mistake, people may not understand you.

Formation Pattern

1
There are simple patterns. Learn where to put each word.
2
Pattern
3
Structure
4
Example
5
Grammaticality
6
Noun Object (After Particle)
7
Verb + Particle + Noun Object
8
Throw away your old clothes.
9
Correct
10
Put the name of the thing in the middle.
11
Verb + Noun Object + Particle
12
Throw your old clothes away.
13
Correct
14
Put words like "it" or "them" in the middle.
15
Say "Throw" then "it" then "away."
16
Throw them away.
17
Correct
18
Do not put "it" or "them" at the end.
19
Never say "Throw away" and then "it."
20
~~Throw away them.~~
21
Incorrect
22
Names can go in two places. Small words must go in the middle.
23
Simple Present: "I throw away the trash every morning." / "I throw the trash away every morning." / "I throw it away every morning."
24
Simple Past: "She threw away the broken vase." / "She threw the broken vase away." / "She threw it away."
25
Present Perfect: "We have thrown away so much packaging." / "We have thrown so much packaging away." / "We have thrown it away."
26
Say "Throw that milk away" or "Throw it away."
27
Good speakers follow these rules. It helps you sound natural.

When To Use It

Use "throw away" for trash or for lost chances.
  1. 1Physical Discarding: This is the most common and literal application, referring to the act of disposing of something that is no longer wanted or needed. This includes waste, broken items, or anything deemed superfluous. For instance, you might tell a colleague, "Please throw away these old documents after you scan them," indicating their immediate disposal. Similarly, after a meal, a host might say, "Don't forget to throw away the food scraps," emphasizing the literal removal of refuse. This usage is direct and unambiguous, forming the foundation of the phrasal verb's meaning.
  1. 1Wasting or Squandering an Opportunity/Resource: In a more metaphorical sense, throw away describes the act of carelessly losing, failing to use, or squandering something valuable, such as an opportunity, a chance, or even one's talent or potential. This implies negligence or a lack of foresight. For example, a student might lament, "I really threw away my chance to get into that university by not submitting my application on time." The idiom throw away your shot specifically means to waste a unique or important opportunity, often with a sense of regret or self-reproach. Similarly, parents might advise their child, "Don't throw away your talent by not practicing your music," highlighting the misuse of an inherent ability.
  1. 1Wasting Money or Resources: This particular figurative use focuses on the imprudent expenditure of financial assets or other valuable resources. It implies that money or resources are spent without a commensurate benefit, often leading to regret. If you purchase an item that quickly breaks or proves useless, you might reflect, "I feel like I just threw away twenty dollars on that cheap gadget." This application extends beyond personal finance; a project manager could observe, "We threw away valuable development time by pursuing that flawed design," indicating the inefficient allocation of resources. This usage carries a strong connotation of regret or criticism regarding poor decision-making.
  1. 1Metaphorical Removal of Abstract Concepts: Less common but still present, throw away can be used to describe the conscious decision to abandon or dismiss abstract negative elements like worries, bad habits, or grudges. This usage signifies a psychological or emotional act of letting go. For example, after a stressful week, one might resolve, "I need to throw away all my worries and relax this weekend," indicating a deliberate release of mental burden. Similarly, if someone decides to forgive an old offense, they might say, "It's time to throw away that old grudge and move on," signifying the abandonment of resentment. This use illustrates the phrasal verb's capacity to extend its core meaning of removal into non-physical domains.

When Not To Use It

Use "throw away" only for things you do not want.
  • When referring to the act of propelling an object: If you mean to physically propel something, like a ball or a stone, without the intention of discarding it, the simple verb throw is almost always sufficient, often accompanied by prepositions like to or at. For example, you throw a ball to a friend, not throw away a ball to a friend. Using throw away in this context would imply that you are discarding the ball, which is a different meaning. Therefore, when the primary action is propulsion rather than disposal, omit away. Consider: "Throw me the keys!" (correct) versus ~~"Throw away me the keys!"~~ (incorrect, implies discarding the keys).
  • When storing or putting something in its correct place: The phrasal verb put away is used for returning items to their designated storage locations, implying organization and retention, not disposal. Confusing throw away with put away can lead to comical or serious misinterpretations. For instance, a parent tells a child, "Please put away your toys," meaning to store them neatly. If they said, ~~"Please throw away your toys,"~~ the child might literally discard them. Thus, for actions involving storage or tidying, put away is the correct choice.
  • When referring to expulsion or suggestion (where throw out is used): While throw away and throw out can be interchangeable for general discarding, throw out possesses additional distinct meanings that throw away does not share. Throw out can mean to forcibly remove someone from a place ("The bouncer threw him out of the club") or to suggest an idea for consideration ("She threw out an idea for the marketing campaign"). Using throw away in these contexts would be incorrect and nonsensical. For example, you cannot ~~throw away an idea~~ to mean suggest it.
  • In highly formal written contexts where dispose of is preferred: While throw away is acceptable in most informal and semi-formal contexts, extremely formal or official documents might prefer the more formal dispose of. For instance, a technical manual might state, "Used chemicals must be disposed of according to safety regulations," rather than "Used chemicals must be thrown away." While throw away would be understood, dispose of conveys a higher level of formality and precision often required in such contexts.

Common Mistakes

Many students make mistakes. Learn where to put the words.
  1. 1Incorrect Pronoun Placement: This is by far the most frequent and noticeable error. As previously established, a pronoun object must come between throw and away. The error occurs when learners treat pronoun objects like noun objects and place them after the particle. For example, saying ~~"I need to throw away it"~~ instead of the mandatory "I need to throw it away" sounds distinctly unnatural to a native speaker. The linguistic principle here is that pronouns, being typically unstressed and anaphoric, prefer a position of less emphasis, which in verb-particle constructions is immediately after the verb. Placing them after the particle away (which itself often receives some stress) disrupts this natural rhythm and syntactic preference. To correct this, always mentally rehearse the Verb + Pronoun + Particle structure.
  1. 1Confusing throw away with throw out: While these two are often interchangeable for the meaning of discarding trash (e.g., "Throw away the garbage" vs. "Throw out the garbage"), throw out has additional meanings that throw away does not. Mistaking them leads to errors when throw out means to expel or suggest. For example, to say ~~"The teacher threw away the disruptive student"~~ instead of "The teacher threw out the disruptive student" is incorrect. Similarly, if you want to suggest an idea, you throw out an idea, not throw away an idea. The distinction is crucial for conveying precise meaning in varied contexts. Develop an awareness of throw out's polysemy beyond simple discarding.
  1. 1Using throw away for simply propelling an object: Learners sometimes erroneously add away when the intended meaning is just to hurl or propel an object, like playing catch. For example, saying ~~"She threw away the ball to her dog"~~ when meaning she propelled it to the dog, would imply she discarded the ball. The simple verb throw is sufficient here, often with prepositions like to or at if direction or target is specified ("She threw the ball to her dog"). This mistake arises from overgeneralizing the particle, failing to recognize that away specifically adds the meaning of discarding or getting rid of.
  1. 1Overuse in very formal contexts: While not strictly a grammatical error, using throw away in highly formal or academic writing where a more formal alternative like dispose of, discard, or eliminate would be more appropriate can diminish the formality of the text. For instance, in a scientific report, stating ~~"Researchers threw away the contaminated samples"~~ might be less suitable than "Researchers disposed of the contaminated samples." While understandable, it reflects a less precise register choice for the context. This is a stylistic error rather than a grammatical one, but important for achieving appropriate tone.

Common Collocations

Some words go together naturally. This helps you speak well.
  • throw away trash/garbage/rubbish/waste: This is the most literal and frequent collocation, referring to the disposal of household or commercial refuse. You encounter this daily. "Please throw away your trash before leaving." Rubbish is more common in British English, while garbage and trash are prevalent in American English. Waste is a more general term that covers various unwanted byproducts.
  • throw away food: Often implies the regrettable act of wasting edible items, perhaps due to spoilage or excessive preparation. "It's a shame to throw away perfectly good food just because it expired yesterday." This collocation carries a connotation of inefficiency or poor planning.
  • throw away clothes/shoes/furniture: Refers to discarding used or unwanted personal items that are no longer needed or are beyond repair. "I need to throw away these old shoes once I get a new pair." This is a common action during decluttering or moving residences.
  • throw away a chance/opportunity/shot: These collocations are highly metaphorical and signify the act of wasting a valuable prospect or advantage. "Don't throw away your opportunity to travel; it might not come again." Throw away your shot is a particularly strong idiom implying a unique, often critical, opportunity missed. This reflects a significant element of regret or poor judgment.
  • throw away money/resources/talent: These phrases indicate the squandering of valuable assets or potential. "He kept throwing away money on lottery tickets, hoping to get rich." Throw away resources refers to inefficient use of materials or time, while throw away talent suggests neglecting an inherent ability. These collocations highlight a negative outcome due to misuse.
  • throw away the packaging: A practical instruction for disposing of the materials that encase a product after opening or assembly. "Make sure to throw away the packaging carefully after unboxing the new TV." This is a routine action in consumer contexts.
  • throw away an advantage/lead: Particularly common in sports or competitive contexts, meaning to lose a favorable position due to mistakes or poor play. "The team threw away their two-goal lead in the final minutes of the match." This implies a failure to capitalize on a strong position.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Other phrases are similar. Learn the small differences.
Pattern
Key Meaning / Usage
Example
Distinction from Throw Away
Throw away
Discard (physical or metaphorical); squander (opportunity/resource)
"Throw away the broken phone.""Don't throw away your vote."
Core meaning of disposal or waste. Separable.
Throw out
Discard (often interchangeable with throw away for refuse); expel; suggest an idea
"Throw out the old newspapers.""They threw him out of the bar.""He threw out an idea."
Has additional meanings of expulsion or suggestion that throw away lacks.
Put away
Store something in its proper place; tidy up; save money
"Please put away your books.""She puts money away for retirement."
Implies retention and organization, not disposal. Opposite of discarding.
Get rid of
Eliminate; dispose of; free oneself from something unwanted
Say "get rid of" when you do not want something anymore.
Use this for habits or feelings. You do not always use hands. It covers many different things.
Dispose of
Get rid of, especially systematically or formally
"The hazardous waste must be disposed of properly."
This word is very serious. Use it for trash or laws. It is not for daily talk.
Discard
Get rid of something unwanted
"Please discard all worn-out items."
This word means the same as 'throw away'. It is very formal. Only use it for real things.
Waste (verb)
Use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or for no purpose
"Don't waste water.""You're wasting your time."
Use this word when you lose a good chance. Do not use it for trash.
These words are similar but different. 'Put away' means to keep things. Pick the best one for your action.

Quick FAQ

These questions help you learn. They give fast answers about 'throw away'.
  • Can throw and away always be separated by the object?
You can say 'throw the trash away'. You must say 'throw it away'. Never say 'throw away it'.
  • Is throw away always negative?
Putting trash away is okay. But 'throwing away' money is bad. It means you feel sad about a mistake.
  • What's the difference between throw away and throw out for discarding?
For trash, both are the same. But 'throw out' can mean making someone leave. It can also mean telling an idea.
Think about all meanings before you choose a word.
  • Can I throw away a habit or a feeling?
Yes, in a metaphorical sense. You can throw away bad habits, worries, or grudges. This implies deliberately abandoning or letting go of something intangible that you no longer want to keep.
This means removing bad feelings. It shows you know a lot of English.
  • Why is it incorrect to say ~~throw away it~~?
Small words like 'it' must stay near the action word. Saying 'throw away it' sounds very wrong.
The only right way to say it is 'throw it away'.
  • When should I use dispose of instead of throw away?
Use 'dispose of' for work or serious papers. Use 'throw away' for daily life. Choose the best word for the place.
  • If I just throw something, what does that mean?
To 'throw' is to move something through the air. Adding 'away' means you do not want it anymore.

Conjugating 'Throw Away'

Tense Subject Verb Form Particle Example
Present Simple
I/You/We/They
throw
away
I throw away the mail.
Present Simple
He/She/It
throws
away
She throws away the mail.
Past Simple
All subjects
threw
away
We threw away the mail.
Present Continuous
I
am throwing
away
I am throwing it away.
Present Perfect
All subjects
have/has thrown
away
They have thrown it away.
Future (Will)
All subjects
will throw
away
I will throw it away.

Contractions with Pronouns

Full Form Contraction Usage
I will throw it away
I'll throw it away
Common in speech
Do not throw it away
Don't throw it away
Imperative/Command
He is throwing it away
He's throwing it away
Describing action

Meanings

To put something in the trash because you no longer need it or want it.

1

Physical Discarding

To dispose of an object in a bin or trash can.

“Can you throw away that apple core?”

“He threw away all his old love letters.”

2

Wasting/Losing

To fail to use an opportunity or a talent in a sensible way.

“She threw away her chance of winning by making a silly mistake.”

“Don't throw away your money on gambling.”

3

Casual Utterance

To say something in a casual or offhand way, as if it is not important.

“He threw away a comment about leaving his job.”

“The actor threw away the line, making it even funnier.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Phrasal Verb: Throw away
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Noun)
Subject + throw away + noun
I threw away the box.
Affirmative (Noun Middle)
Subject + throw + noun + away
I threw the box away.
Affirmative (Pronoun)
Subject + throw + pronoun + away
I threw it away.
Negative
Subject + do not + throw away
Don't throw away that paper.
Question
Do + subject + throw away...?
Did you throw away the receipt?
Passive
Object + be + thrown away
The trash was thrown away.
Gerund
Throwing away + noun
Throwing away food is a waste.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Please dispose of the unwanted materials.

Please dispose of the unwanted materials. (Cleaning up)

Neutral
Please throw away the trash.

Please throw away the trash. (Cleaning up)

Informal
Chuck that in the bin.

Chuck that in the bin. (Cleaning up)

Slang
Toss it.

Toss it. (Cleaning up)

The Meanings of Throw Away

Throw Away

Physical

  • Trash Garbage
  • Old items Clutter

Abstract

  • Chances Opportunities
  • Money Resources

Throw Away vs. Give Away

Throw Away
Trash bin Destruction
Give Away
Charity New owner

Where does the object go?

1

Is the object a pronoun (it/them)?

YES
Put it in the middle: Throw IT away.
NO
Put it in the middle OR at the end.

Common Objects for Throw Away

🏠

Household

  • • Leftovers
  • • Packaging
  • • Old mail
🌱

Life

  • • A lead in a game
  • • A scholarship
  • • A relationship
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Examples by Level

1

Please throw away your trash.

2

I throw away the old pen.

3

Don't throw it away!

4

He throws away the food.

1

I threw away my old magazines yesterday.

2

Are you going to throw those boxes away?

3

She never throws anything away.

4

We should throw away this broken chair.

1

You shouldn't throw away such a great opportunity.

2

If the milk smells bad, just throw it away.

3

He threw away his chance to study abroad.

4

Why did you throw those documents away?

1

The company threw away millions on a failed marketing campaign.

2

It's a shame to see such talent being thrown away.

3

I've decided to throw away all my distractions and focus on work.

4

Don't just throw away the instructions before reading them.

1

He threw away a perfectly good career for a moment of excitement.

2

The script was full of throwaway lines that the audience loved.

3

We live in a throwaway society where nothing is repaired anymore.

4

She threw away the remark so casually that I almost missed it.

1

To throw away one's heritage for the sake of modernity is a grave error.

2

The protagonist's potential was thrown away by the author in the final chapter.

3

The witness threw away a vital piece of information during the cross-examination.

4

The sheer volume of plastic thrown away annually is staggering.

Easily Confused

Phrasal Verb: Throw away vs Throw away vs. Throw out

They both mean to discard trash, and are usually interchangeable.

Phrasal Verb: Throw away vs Throw away vs. Give away

Learners mix them up when talking about getting rid of possessions.

Phrasal Verb: Throw away vs Throw away vs. Throw up

Both start with 'throw' but have completely different meanings.

Common Mistakes

✗

Throw away it.

✓

Throw it away.

Pronouns must go between 'throw' and 'away'.
✗

I throw awayed the paper.

✓

I threw away the paper.

'Throw' is an irregular verb. The past is 'threw'.
✗

Throw away the trash can.

✓

Throw away the trash.

You throw away the contents, not the container (unless the bin is broken!).
✗

He throw away the box.

✓

He throws away the box.

Don't forget the third-person 's' in the present tense.
✗

I threw away my chance.

✓

I threw away my chance.

Actually, this is correct, but A2 learners often use 'lost' instead of the more natural phrasal verb.
✗

Throw away to the trash.

✓

Throw it away.

'Away' already implies the destination; you don't need 'to the trash' unless you are being very specific.
✗

I am throwing away it.

✓

I am throwing it away.

Even in continuous tenses, the pronoun stays in the middle.
✗

He threw away his money for a car.

✓

He threw away his money on a car.

When wasting money on something, use the preposition 'on'.
✗

The game was thrown away by the team.

✓

The game was thrown away by the team.

This is correct, but learners often struggle with the passive form of phrasal verbs.
✗

Don't throw away your life.

✓

Don't throw your life away.

Both are correct, but 'throw your life away' is more idiomatic for emphasis.
✗

It was a thrown away comment.

✓

It was a throwaway comment.

When used as an adjective, it is one word: 'throwaway'.

Sentence Patterns

I need to throw away ___.

Don't throw ___ away; it's still ___.

He threw away his chance to ___.

The ___ was thrown away by ___.

Real World Usage

Decluttering / Minimalism very common

I'm following the KonMari method and throwing away everything that doesn't spark joy.

Job Interviews occasional

I didn't want to throw away the experience I gained at my last firm.

Environmental Activism common

We need to stop throwing away single-use plastics.

Sports Commentary very common

They've thrown away a two-goal lead in the last five minutes!

Financial Advice common

Don't throw away your savings on high-risk stocks.

Digital Hygiene common

I need to throw away these old files taking up space on my hard drive.

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🎯

The Pronoun Rule

If you are unsure, always put the object in the middle. 'Throw the trash away' and 'Throw it away' are always safe.
⚠️

Don't confuse with 'Throw up'

Saying 'I threw it up' means you vomited it. Saying 'I threw it away' means you put it in the trash.
💬

Throwaway Society

Use this phrase in essays or discussions about the environment to sound more advanced (C1 level).
💡

Synonyms

In formal writing, use 'discard' or 'dispose of' instead of 'throw away'.

Smart Tips

Think of the phrasal verb as a sandwich. The pronoun is the meat in the middle.

I threw away it. → I threw it away.

Swap 'throw away' for 'discard' to sound more professional.

The company threw away the old data. → The company discarded the obsolete data.

Use 'throw away' to express regret or criticism.

He spent his money on nothing. → He just threw his money away.

Remember it's an adjective meaning 'disposable' or 'casual'.

It was a thrown away remark. → It was a throwaway remark.

Pronunciation

throw a-WAY

Stress on the Particle

In phrasal verbs like 'throw away', the stress usually falls on the second word (the particle).

/θroʊ əˈweɪ/

Linking

When 'throw' is followed by 'away', the 'w' sound at the end of 'throw' often glides into the 'a' of 'away'.

Rising-Falling on 'Away'

Did you throw it a⤴way⤵?

Standard question intonation.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember: 'Away' means it's 'Gone Stay'. If you throw it away, it doesn't come back.

Visual Association

Imagine a basketball player throwing a ball into a giant trash can instead of a hoop. He is 'throwing away' his chance to win the game.

Rhyme

If it's trash and in your way, pick it up and throw it away!

Story

Tom had a winning lottery ticket. He thought it was a gum wrapper. He threw it away. Now he is sad because he threw away his fortune.

Word Web

DiscardTrashWasteBinOpportunitySeparableParticle

Challenge

Look around your room. Find three things you don't need. Say out loud: 'I am going to throw this [object] away' as you put them in the bin.

Cultural Notes

In many English-speaking countries, there is a strong cultural push against 'throwing things away' due to environmental concerns. People prefer 'recycling' or 'donating'.

The term 'throwaway society' is used critically in the UK and USA to describe a culture that values convenience over durability.

In cricket or football, 'throwing away a wicket' or 'throwing away a lead' is a common idiom for making a careless mistake.

The verb 'throw' comes from Old English 'thrawan' (to twist or turn). 'Away' comes from Old English 'onweg'.

Conversation Starters

“

What is the hardest thing you ever had to throw away?

“

Do you think we live in a throwaway society?

“

Have you ever thrown away a great opportunity by mistake?

“

If you were decluttering your house, what would you throw away first?

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you cleaned your room. What did you throw away and why?
Write about a 'throwaway society'. Is it a problem in your country?
Reflect on a missed opportunity. Did you throw it away, or was it just bad luck?
Write a dialogue between two people cleaning a garage. One wants to keep everything, and the other wants to throw everything away.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which of these is grammatically correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I threw it away.
Pronouns must go in the middle, and 'threw' is the correct past tense.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'throw away'.

Yesterday, she ___ all her old homework.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: threw away
'Yesterday' indicates the past tense.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Don't throw away your chance for win the game.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: for win
It should be 'chance TO win'.
Rewrite the sentence using a pronoun. Sentence Transformation

Rewrite: 'Throw away the old newspapers.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Throw them away.
'Newspapers' is plural, so use 'them' in the middle.
Match the context with the meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Physical, 2-Abstract, 3-Offhand
These are the three primary senses of the verb.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

You can never put a noun between 'throw' and 'away'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
You CAN put a noun in the middle (e.g., 'Throw the trash away').
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Is this milk still good? B: No, it's sour. ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Throw it away
The imperative form with a pronoun requires the pronoun in the middle.
Which of these objects can be 'thrown away'? Grammar Sorting

Sort: [Trash, Opportunity, A Person, A Secret]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Trash & Opportunity
You throw away physical items and abstract chances. You don't throw away people or secrets (you 'tell' or 'keep' secrets).

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which of these is grammatically correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I threw it away.
Pronouns must go in the middle, and 'threw' is the correct past tense.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'throw away'.

Yesterday, she ___ all her old homework.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: threw away
'Yesterday' indicates the past tense.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Don't throw away your chance for win the game.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: for win
It should be 'chance TO win'.
Rewrite the sentence using a pronoun. Sentence Transformation

Rewrite: 'Throw away the old newspapers.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Throw them away.
'Newspapers' is plural, so use 'them' in the middle.
Match the context with the meaning. Match Pairs

1. Trash bin, 2. Missed job, 3. Casual remark

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Physical, 2-Abstract, 3-Offhand
These are the three primary senses of the verb.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

You can never put a noun between 'throw' and 'away'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
You CAN put a noun in the middle (e.g., 'Throw the trash away').
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Is this milk still good? B: No, it's sour. ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Throw it away
The imperative form with a pronoun requires the pronoun in the middle.
Which of these objects can be 'thrown away'? Grammar Sorting

Sort: [Trash, Opportunity, A Person, A Secret]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Trash & Opportunity
You throw away physical items and abstract chances. You don't throw away people or secrets (you 'tell' or 'keep' secrets).

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Don't just ___ that old phone, try to recycle it.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: throw away
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

You should throw your worries away them.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: You should throw your worries away.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both are correct.
Type the correct English sentence. Translation

Translate into English: 'Você jogou fora o recibo?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Did you throw away the receipt?","Did you throw the receipt away?"]
Put the words in order to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: That is just throwing money away.
Match the beginning of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

Match the sentence beginnings with their appropriate endings:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

I hate to ___ perfectly good clothes.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: throw away
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

We shouldn't just throw out away old electronics.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We shouldn't just throw away old electronics.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'm going to throw my old notes away.
Type the correct English sentence. Translation

Translate into English: 'É um desperdício de dinheiro.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["It's a waste of money.","It's just throwing money away."]
Put the words in order to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I need to throw all these old papers away.

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

No. In English, when a phrasal verb is separable and the object is a pronoun (it, them, me, you, him, her, us), the pronoun **must** go in the middle.

They are 99% the same. 'Throw out' is slightly more common in American English and can also mean to physically remove someone from a place.

It is neutral. It's fine for speaking and most emails. In very formal academic writing, use `discard` or `dispose of`.

Only metaphorically, like 'throwing away a relationship'. You shouldn't use it to mean 'firing' or 'breaking up with' someone directly.

It's a comment made in a casual way, often in a play or movie, that isn't meant to seem important but might be funny or significant.

It is irregular. The forms are `throw` (present), `threw` (past), and `thrown` (past participle).

Yes, it means you wasted your money on something useless.

It describes a culture where people buy things and discard them quickly instead of repairing them.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Tirar / Desechar

English is separable; Spanish is not.

French low

Jeter / Gaspiller

English uses one phrasal verb for both physical and abstract discarding.

German high

Wegwerfen

German word order is stricter regarding the prefix position.

Japanese low

捨てる (Suteru)

Japanese has no separable structure.

Arabic low

يرمي (Yurmi)

English requires the particle 'away' to change the meaning from 'toss' to 'discard'.

Chinese moderate

扔掉 (Rēngdiào)

Chinese compounds are generally not separable by the object.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
Phrasal Verb: Make up (Invent/Reconcile)

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