What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
threw
Example
He threw the ball to his friend. [threw: verb]
Example
She threw her phone in frustration. [threw: past tense]
Example
The kids threw rocks into the pond. [threw: verb]
hurled
Example
He hurled the javelin across the field. [hurled: verb]
Example
She hurled insults at her ex-boyfriend. [hurled: past tense]
Example
The protesters hurled rocks at the police. [hurled: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Threw is more commonly used than hurled in everyday language. Threw is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hurled is less common and typically used in more intense or dramatic situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between threw and hurled?
Both threw and hurled are relatively informal and can be used in casual conversation. However, hurled may be considered more forceful and aggressive, making it less appropriate for formal situations.
