through
preposition/θruː/
/θruː/
For the special uses of through in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example get through something is in the phrasal verb section at get.- from one end or side of something/somebody to the other
- The burglar got in through the window.
- The bullet went straight through him.
- Her knees had gone through (= made holes in) her jeans.
- The sand ran through (= between) my fingers.
- The path led through the trees to the river.
- The doctor pushed his way through the crowd.
- The Charles River flows through Boston.
- The flood was too deep to drive through.
- see, hear, etc. through something to see, hear, etc. something from the other side of an object or a substance
- I couldn't hear their conversation through the wall.
- He could just make out three people through the mist.
- from the beginning to the end of an activity, a situation or a period of time
- The children are too young to sit through a concert.
- He will not live through the night.
- I'm halfway through (= reading) her second novel.
Homophones threw | throughthrew through/θruː//θruː/- threw verb (past tense of throw)
- He threw a stone at the window.
- through preposition
- Just go through this tunnel and then it's on the right.
- through adverb
- You can do it—you're three-quarters of the way through already!
- through adjective
- It's not a through road so it's quite quiet.
- past a barrier, stage or test
- Go through this gate, and you'll see the house on your left.
- He drove through a red light (= passed it when he should have stopped).
- First I have to get through the exams.
- The bill had a difficult passage through Parliament.
- I'd never have got through it all (= a difficult situation) without you.
- (also informal thru)(both North American English) until, and including
- We'll be in New York Tuesday through Friday.
British/American inclusive / throughinclusive / through- In British English, inclusive is used to emphasize that you are including the days, months, numbers, etc. mentioned, especially in formal or official situations:
- Answer questions 8 to 12 inclusive.
- The amusement park is open daily from May to October inclusive.
- In North American English, through is used:
- Answer questions 8 through 12.
- The amusement park is open (from) May through October.
- To can also be used with this meaning in British English and North American English:
- The park is open from 1 May to 31 October.
- by means of; because of
- You can only achieve success through hard work.
- It was through him (= as a result of his help) that I got the job.
- The accident happened through no fault of mine.
Word OriginOld English thurh (preposition and adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch door and German durch. The spelling change to thr- appears c.1300, becoming standard from Caxton onwards.
Check pronunciation:
through