Distinguishing Between Through & Thru

Through vs Thru

Through and thru are two words that may appear to have the same meaning, but they differ in usage. Thru is considered a shortened form of through and is often viewed as a colloquial version of the word. Through can be used as a preposition, adverb, or adjective depending on the context. By examining the various uses of through, one can better understand the differences between through and thru.

What does Through mean?

Through is the accepted term in formal English usage and should be used in formal writing. The word is used to mean ‘go into’ or ‘pass into’ as demonstrated in the following sentences:
– He went through the streets of Canberra.
– She went through the passage.

In these sentences, through is used to mean ‘pass into.’ For example, the first sentence means ‘he passed into the streets of Canberra.’

When used with the verb ‘get,’ through can sometimes mean ‘pass,’ as in the sentence:
– He got through the examination.

Likewise, when used with the verb ‘go,’ through can mean ‘read,’ as in the sentence:
– He went through the whole book.

Through can also be used as an adverb with many other verbs to create idiomatic expressions such as ‘sit through,’ ‘look through,’ ‘walk through,’ and ‘run through.’ In these cases, through can be replaced by thru in an informal context.

What does Thru mean?

Thru is the informal or colloquial spelling of through, primarily used in North American English. It is typically used only in informal writing and not in formal writing.

Key Takeaways

• Thru is considered a shortened, colloquial form of through, mainly used in North American English.
• Through should be used in formal writing, while thru is typically used in informal writing.
• Through can be used as a preposition, adverb, or adjective and can be combined with various verbs to create different meanings and idiomatic expressions.