Phrasal Verb: Throw away

Throw away is a phrasal verb. This means it has two parts. The first part is the verb throw. The second part is the particle away. Together, they create a new meaning. It means to put something in the trash because you do not want it. It is a "separable" phrasal verb. This is a fancy way of saying you can split the words. You can put the object in the middle. Or you can put the object at the end. Both are usually fine. However, there is one big rule for pronouns like it or them. They must go in the middle. Think of the pronoun as a sandwich filling. It needs to be between the two bread slices of throw and away.

1. 1Using this phrasal verb is like following a simple recipe. Here are the steps:
2. 2Choose your subject (I, you, he, she, we, they).
3. 3Use the verb throw. Remember to change it for the tense. For now, use throw or throws.
4. 4Decide where to put your object.
5. 5Add the word away at the end or after the verb.
6. 6Pattern A: Subject + throw + away + noun (I throw away the trash).
7. 7Pattern B: Subject + throw + noun + away (I throw the trash away).
8. 8Pattern C (The Pronoun Rule): Subject + throw + it/them + away (I throw it away).

Use throw away when you are cleaning your room. If you find an old banana peel, you throw it away. Use it when you are at a fast-food restaurant. When you finish your burger, you throw away the wrapper. It is perfect for talking about physical trash. You can also use it for things that are broken. If your umbrella snaps in the wind, you throw it away. In a job interview, you might say you like to keep a clean desk. You can say, "I always throw away old notes." It shows you are organized. Even at a doctor's office, they throw away used gloves. It is a very practical, everyday phrase.

Do not use throw away for people. If you are angry at a friend, you do not throw them away. That would be very mean and physically impossible! Also, do not use it for things you want to keep. If you give a gift to a friend, that is giving away, not throwing away. Do not use it for simple movement. If you throw a ball to a dog, just use throw. If you say you throw away the ball, the dog will be very sad because the ball is in the trash now. Finally, avoid using it for digital files in a formal way. You usually delete files. However, in casual talk, some people say they throw away files into the computer's trash bin.

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! The biggest mistake is the pronoun trap. Never say throw away it. It sounds very strange to an English ear. Always say throw it away. Another mistake is forgetting the away. If you just say "I threw the milk," people will look for milk on the floor. The word away tells us it went into the bin. Also, watch your spelling. It is two separate words: throw and away. Do not join them into one word like throwaway unless you are using it as an adjective (like a throwaway camera). Think of it like a grammar traffic light; it in the middle means green light, it at the end means red light!

You might hear people say throw out. Good news! Throw out and throw away are almost the same. You can use either one. Throw out sometimes feels a bit more forceful. Imagine physically tossing something out of a window. Throw away feels more like putting it in a bin. There is also give away. This is different. If you give away your old clothes, someone else wears them. If you throw away your clothes, they go to the landfill. Don't mix these up, or your friends might be disappointed with their "gifts"!