Meaning & use
throwing
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“throwing” is a form of “throw”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
present participle of throw: sending something through the air with your hand.
Grammar: Used in continuous tenses: She is throwing the ball. Also as a gerund: Throwing is a sport.
Patterns
- be throwing something
- throwing something at someone
- throwing something to someone
He is throwing the ball to his dog in the park.
They were throwing snowballs at each other.
Throwing a frisbee takes practice.
noununcountable
the act or sport of sending an object through the air, especially in athletics.
Grammar: Used as a noun, often in sports contexts: the throwing events.
Patterns
- throwing event
- throwing competition
- throwing arm
She competes in the throwing events at track meets.
His throwing arm is very strong.
The coach focused on improving their throwing technique.
Common combinations
- throwing a party
- They are throwing a party for their anniversary.
- throwing a fit
- The toddler started throwing a fit in the store.
- throwing shade
- She was throwing shade at her rival on social media.
- throwing money at
- The company is throwing money at the problem.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tossing
- Often implies a lighter or more casual throw; can be used for throwing something away.
- hurling
- Suggests throwing with great force or violence.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: throwing or through?
throwing vs through
Sounds similar but means 'in one side and out the other'. 'Throwing' has an 'ing' ending.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
After 'is', use the -ing form: is throwing. 'Is throw' is wrong because 'is' needs a participle, and 'is throws' is wrong because 'throws' is present simple, not continuous.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “throwing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.