Thru vs Through
What’s the difference between them?
Thru
Meaning:
Informal usage of the word “through.”
Examples:
1. We rode our bikes thru the park.
2. The mailman delivered the package right thru our mail slot.
3. I was able to drive thru the toll without stopping.
Through
Meaning:
Through means in one side and out the other side. It can also mean completely or thoroughly.
Examples:
1. She walked through the long hallway.
2. We had to wade through the thick mud.
3. I'm going to read through the entire book.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Thru
Via
by means of
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Through
Via
by means of
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Thru", "Through".
1. Remember that 'Thru' is the shorter form of 'Through', so it can be used only in informal writing.
2. To remember the difference between 'Thru' and 'Through', think of the letter 'U' in 'Through'. This letter makes the word sound like 'Throo', and it is also a reminder that 'Through' is the longer and more complete form.
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Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word?
The word 'Thru' is generally used as an informal or colloquial abbreviation of 'through'. It is commonly used in written English when the speaker is trying to save time or space, such as in a text message or online chat.
When to use the second word?
The word 'Through' is typically used in formal or academic writing, and is not usually considered appropriate for informal use. It is used to express the idea of passing through something, or to describe a movement or action that starts at one point and ends at another.
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
Yes, the words have the same pronunciation.
What are common mistakes associated with words?
One of the most common mistakes made with these two words is confusing when to use which in different contexts. 'Thru' might only be used in informal or colloquial contexts, while 'through' should be used in formal or academic contexts.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The hikers went _______ the forest.
2. The mail arrived _______ the post office.
3. I looked _______ the window.
4. The river runs _______ the town.
5. I searched _______ the Internet.
6. He walked _______ the door.
1. Through
Explanation: Through is a preposition that denotes movement from one side of an object to the other side, across the entirety of it. In this example, the hikers went through the forest, meaning that they moved from one side of the forest to the other side, across the entirety of it.
2. Through
Explanation: Through is a preposition that denotes movement from one side of an object to the other side, across the entirety of it. In this example, the mail arrived thru the post office, meaning that it moved from one side of the post office to the other side, across the entirety of it.
3. Through
Explanation: Through is a preposition that denotes movement from one side of an object to the other side, across the entirety of it. In this example, I looked through the window, meaning that I viewed the scene beyond the window from one side to the other, across the entirety of it.
4. Through
Explanation: Through is a preposition that denotes movement from one side of an object to the other side, across the entirety of it. In this example, the river runs through the town, meaning that it flows from one side of the town to the other, across the entirety of it.
5. Through
Explanation: Through is a preposition that denotes movement from one side of an object to the other side, across the entirety of it. In this example, I searched through the Internet, meaning that I looked for a particular item or information on the Internet from one side to the other, across the entirety of it.
6. Through
Explanation: Through is a preposition that denotes movement from one side of an object to the other side, across the entirety of it. In this example, he walked through the door, meaning that he moved from one side of the door to the other, across the entirety of it.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.