What is through? Pronunciation and usage in English

through means . Learn how to pronounce and use through through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of through

throughpreposition

/θruː/
Definition & pronunciation of through

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "through" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound (the most important part):

  • The "th" sound: This is a voiceless dental fricative. It’s the same sound you make when you say "think" or "this." Your tongue should be gently behind your top teeth, and air should pass over them.
  • The "oo" sound: Think of the sound you make when you say "moon" or "blue." It’s a rounded vowel sound.

2. Putting it Together:

The word "through" is essentially combining those two sounds: "thuh".

3. Detailed Breakdown & Tips:

  • The initial "th": Make sure it’s a clear, sharp "th" sound – not a "d" or a "t".
  • The "uh" sound: This is the slightly trickier part. It’s a short, neutral vowel sound. Don't overemphasize it. It’s not like the long "oo" sound in "moon."
  • Linking: It flows together: "thuh"

4. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them:

  • Saying "thru": This is a common mistake. It's a perfectly acceptable shortening in informal speech, but the full "through" is more standard and generally more correct.
  • Slurring the "th": Ensure you keep that distinct "th" sound.
  • Making the "uh" sound too long: Keep it short and neutral.

5. Listen for Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:

  • Google: Just search "how to pronounce through" on Google and you'll get audio examples.
  • YouTube: Search for "pronounce through" - many videos demonstrate the mouth position.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/through/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers.

To help me give you even more targeted guidance, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Pronunciation varies slightly between different English dialects).

Usage and examples with the word through in English

Let's break down how to use the word "through" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and uses! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. Movement & Passage:

  • Moving from one place to another: This is the most common meaning.

    • "I walked through the park." (Moving across the park)
    • "She drove through the tunnel." (Passing through the tunnel)
    • “He ran through the forest.”

  • Passing across something:

    • "We looked through the window." (Seeing what's on the other side)
    • "The rain came through the cracks in the wall." (Passing through the cracks)

2. Time & Duration:

  • During a period of time:

    • "We traveled through the summer." (During the summer)
    • "He worked through the night." (During the night)
    • "We went through a difficult time." (During a difficult period)

  • To experience something:

    • “He went through a divorce.” (Experienced a divorce)

3. Condition & State:

  • In a state or condition: Often used with "with" to indicate experience:

    • “She's going through a lot right now.” (Experiencing difficulties)
    • “He’s going through a phase.” (Experiencing a temporary state)

  • Passing into a condition:

    • "The idea is through to me now." (I now understand it)

4. Communication & Transmission:

  • Communicating (especially by sound):

    • "The message went through to her." (The message was received)
    • "He spoke through the telephone." (He communicated via telephone)

  • Passing something along:

    • “The information went through the grapevine.” (Spread informally)

5. As a Preposition – Connections & Relationships:

  • Connecting or relating to something:

    • “He’s through with that project.” (Finished with it)
    • “They’re through with each other.” (No longer connected/have broken up) – This is often used in a figurative sense

  • Concerning or relating to a subject:

    • "This is through the history department." (Relating to the history department)

6. Grammatical Roles:

  • "Through" as an adverb: Modifies verbs (as shown in many of the examples above).
  • "Through" as a preposition: Connects nouns, pronouns, and phrases.
  • "Through" as part of compound words:
    • "Throughput" (the rate at which something is processed)
    • "Throughline" (a central plot element)

Tips for Using “Through” Correctly:

  • Think about movement or passage: If you’re talking about something physically moving from one point to another, "through" is likely the right word.
  • Consider time: If you're referring to a duration, “through” works well.
  • Pay attention to the context: The meaning of "through" can vary greatly depending on the sentence.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of sentences are you trying to write where you want to use "through"? (e.g., descriptive writing, factual writing, creative writing?)

Synonyms for the word through

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