Meaning & use
throughout
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Meanings
preposition
In every part of a place or during every part of a period of time.
Grammar: Followed by a noun: 'throughout the country', 'throughout the year'.
Patterns
- throughout the world
- throughout the day
- throughout history
The festival is celebrated throughout the country.
She checked her email throughout the day.
The museum is famous throughout Europe.
adverb
In every part of a place or situation; from beginning to end.
Grammar: Used without a following noun, often at the end of a clause: 'The house was clean throughout.'
Patterns
- be something throughout
- remain something throughout
The walls were painted blue throughout.
He remained calm throughout.
The building has been renovated throughout.
Common combinations
- throughout the world
- The singer is known throughout the world.
- throughout the year
- The garden looks beautiful throughout the year.
- throughout history
- People have told stories throughout history.
- throughout the building
- There is Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Synonyms and how they differ
- all over
- 'All over' is more informal and often used for places, while 'throughout' works for both places and time periods.
- everywhere
- 'Everywhere' is an adverb meaning in all places; 'throughout' can also refer to time, as in 'throughout the day'.
Opposites
Commonly confused: throughout or through?
throughout vs through
'Through' can mean from one side to the other or by means of, while 'throughout' means in every part or during the whole time.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Throughout' is a preposition and is followed directly by a noun, so 'throughout Europe' is correct. The other options add unnecessary prepositions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “throughout”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.