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Meaning & use

through

preposition, adverb, adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/θruː/
US/θruː/

Meanings

  1. preposition

    From one side or end of something to the other, passing inside it.

    Grammar: Followed by a noun: go through the door.

    Patterns

    • through something
    • go through something
    • look through something

    The train went through a long tunnel.

    We walked through the park on our way home.

    She pushed her hand through the gap in the fence.

  2. preposition

    By means of someone or something; because of a particular person or thing.

    Grammar: Followed by a noun: paid through the bank.

    Patterns

    • through someone
    • through something
    • through hard work

    I got the job through a friend.

    You can pay through the app.

    She learned French through music.

  3. preposition

    From the beginning to the end of a period or activity.

    Grammar: Often with all: all through the night.

    Patterns

    • through the night
    • through the summer
    • all through something

    He slept through the whole film.

    The shop stays open through the summer.

    She worked through the night to finish the report.

  4. adverb

    From one side or end to the other; all the way in.

    Grammar: No object; the verb decides the meaning: let us through.

    Patterns

    • let someone through
    • go through
    • push through

    The door was open, so I walked through.

    Let the ambulance through.

    The nail went right through.

  5. adjectivenot comparableinformal

    Finished with something, or no longer connected or involved.

    Grammar: Used after be: I am through with that.

    Patterns

    • be through with something
    • be through

    I'm through with this argument.

    Are you through with the computer yet?

    Their marriage is through.

Common combinations

go through
She went through a difficult time last year.
through the roof
Prices have gone through the roof.
see through something
I saw through his excuse at once.
all through
It rained all through the weekend.
through and through
He is a teacher through and through.

Synonyms and how they differ

via
More formal and usually means 'by way of' or 'by means of', not movement inside something.
across
Suggests moving from one side to the other over a surface, not entering and exiting.
throughout
Emphasizes covering a whole area or period, not a single crossing.

Opposites

around

Word family

throughout preposition
In every part of a place or during the whole of a period.
throughway noun
A road that goes straight through a town; also spelled thruway.
breakthrough noun
An important discovery or sudden success.

Commonly confused: through or thorough? through or though?

through vs thorough

Sounds similar but means 'complete and careful': a thorough check, not a movement.

through vs though

A conjunction meaning 'despite the fact that'; it looks close but has a different vowel sound.

Practice

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