through
preposition
UK/θruː/US/θruː/
From one side to the other side of something; moving in one side and out of the other side of something.
Example Sentences
She walked through the door and entered the room.
The train passed through the tunnel without any delays.
They traveled through the forest on their way to the campsite.
He read the entire book through in one day.
The river flows through the city, providing a scenic view.
The light shone through the window, illuminating the room.
We drove through the countryside to reach our destination.
The message was sent through multiple channels to ensure it was received.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
adverb
UK/θruː/US/θruː/
From one end or side to the other.
Example Sentences
He looked through to the other side of the window.
She worked through the night to finish the project.
They drove through the city to avoid traffic.
The movie went through several changes before its release.
He read the instructions through before starting the experiment.
She cleaned the house through and through, leaving no corner untouched.
They stayed up all night, talking through the early hours of the morning.
The plan went through smoothly without any unexpected issues.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Conveys passing across, within, or from one side to another.This term frequently serves as a preposition indicating movement from one point to another within a space, time, or series of steps. For example, “We drove through the city” highlights crossing an area from entry to exit, whereas “I worked through the night” implies continuing an activity from evening until morning. It can also mark completion of a sequence—“Read through the instructions” means to go from the start to the end.As an adverb, it may appear in phrases like “They made it through,” focusing on successfully emerging from a challenge or situation. You’ll also find it in idiomatic expressions that stress perseverance—“push through the pain” or “go through a rough patch”—suggesting sustained effort during adversity. Context is key: it might describe literal physical motion, figurative progress, or a methodical approach to tasks or timelines. In all cases, “through” implies some degree of internal passage or involvement, whether that’s a tunnel, a process, or a period of time.
Alternatives
Several words can convey similar notions. “Across” emphasizes movement from one side to the opposite side, often on a flat surface—“We walked across the field.” “Throughout” focuses on dispersion or presence in every part of something—“The virus spread throughout the region.” “Over” sometimes substitutes in casual speech: “He hopped over the fence” (though it more strongly implies going above rather than going inside or within). If you’re speaking about enduring an event or period, “during” may suffice to locate a specific time frame—“He studied during the break.” However, each alternative carries its own nuance—“through” is typically the go-to choice when highlighting passage from start to finish or total immersion in a space or time.
Writing
In written text, “through” clarifies the path of motion, continuity, or progression. Whether you’re describing a character journey in a story—“She walked through the dense forest”—or a step-by-step procedure—“Follow through the instructions carefully”—its presence signals a complete traversal or engagement. When editing, watch for opportunities to replace or vary the word if it appears repetitively, but avoid synonyms that could skew meaning. For instance, “across” might alter the sense of depth if you truly want to portray passing within or inside something.In more formal or academic contexts, “through” underlines thoroughness or scope: “Analyzing data through multiple case studies” suggests going inside each study and out the other side, covering every relevant point. Occasionally, you can refine clarity by naming the start and end points explicitly—“He traveled from Paris through Berlin to Warsaw”—but if the intermediate step is the key emphasis, “through” alone suffices. Well-placed usage ensures that readers visualize the entire route or process without ambiguity.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “through” shows up in describing errands or daily routines—“I need to go through my emails,” “We drove through some heavy traffic this morning,” or “I’m powering through a tough workout.” It’s also popular in informal motivational phrases—“push through the pain,” “get through the day,” or “hang in there, we’ll get through it.”When discussing relationships or conflicts, phrases like “We’ve been through a lot together” emphasize shared experiences and perseverance. People often slip it into short updates—“I’ll get through these chores first” or “Have you gone through all the leftover files?”—signaling a methodical or persistent approach. This flexible usage suits diverse situations, from trivial tasks to significant life challenges, because it naturally conveys progress across or within any event or space.
Etymology
Originating in Old English as “þurh,” later spelled “thurh,” the word carried meanings related to movement across an area or period. It shares roots with other Germanic languages, reflecting the idea of piercing or traveling inside and beyond. Over centuries, spelling and pronunciation shifted to modern “through,” but the central notion of passing from one boundary to another endured.In Middle English, the term solidified its dual nature—both describing literal passage (like crossing a gate) and metaphorical continuation (enduring an ordeal). As English grammar evolved, “through” became a mainstay in everything from geographic descriptions—“the river flows through the valley”—to figurative usage—“They went through hardships but emerged stronger.” Its consistent meaning stems from a fundamental human need to describe paths and processes spanning starts, middles, and ends, whether physical or conceptual. This continuity anchors its persistent relevance in contemporary speech and writing alike.
