Difference between revisions of "Throes - throws"
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| − | These [[homophone]]s have been confused. | + | These [[homophone]]s - both words are pronounced {{IPA|θrəʊz}} - have sometimes been confused. |
| − | * '''Throws''' is the [[plural]] of the [[noun]] | + | * '''Throws''' is the [[plural]] of the [[noun]] 'a throw', as in 'Each player has two '''throws''' of the dice'. |
| − | * As a [[verb]], '''throws''' is the 3rd person singular of the verb | + | * As a [[verb]], '''throws''' is the 3rd person singular of the verb 'to throw', as in 'He '''throws''' the ball'. |
| − | * '''Throes''' are literally muscular spasms or contractions. We can say that a woman is | + | * '''Throes''' are literally muscular spasms or contractions. We can say that a woman is 'in the '''throes''' of childbirth'. We talk of the 'death '''throes'''' of a hunted animal - the last few desperate movements of the muscles of the dying organism. We can also use the word figuratively. A writer beating their brows for inspiration might be said to be 'in the '''throes''' of composition'. A man groaning and twitching might be 'in the '''throes''' of' despair - or love! |
Never write that someone 'is in the <s>throws</s> of' an emotion, etc. This just betrays your lack of knowledge. | Never write that someone 'is in the <s>throws</s> of' an emotion, etc. This just betrays your lack of knowledge. | ||
Revision as of 19:30, 19 June 2015
These homophones - both words are pronounced IPA: /θrəʊz/ - have sometimes been confused.
- Throws is the plural of the noun 'a throw', as in 'Each player has two throws of the dice'.
- As a verb, throws is the 3rd person singular of the verb 'to throw', as in 'He throws the ball'.
- Throes are literally muscular spasms or contractions. We can say that a woman is 'in the throes of childbirth'. We talk of the 'death throes' of a hunted animal - the last few desperate movements of the muscles of the dying organism. We can also use the word figuratively. A writer beating their brows for inspiration might be said to be 'in the throes of composition'. A man groaning and twitching might be 'in the throes of' despair - or love!
Never write that someone 'is in thethrowsof' an emotion, etc. This just betrays your lack of knowledge. It should be someone 'is in the throes of' an emotion, etc.
