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How do I know which word to use in the correct context?

How do I recognize these words when hearing them?

Examples:

Jimmy threw the ring at Emiko.

Elvis walked through the door.

John was through with work for the day.

Gareth was through with mosquitoes coming through the window!

Edward was very thorough when cleaning the kitchen.

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I can't understand your question honestly... "How do which word to use in the correct place?" – Alenanno Apr 23 '11 at 10:47
Thanks to @Billare for correction. By the way, I was going to answer but my honest opinion is that it doesn't really sound like an actual question. – Alenanno Apr 23 '11 at 11:11
@Billare..Thanks a lot for editing the question..i will keep this in mind next time when i post a question – prem shekhar Apr 23 '11 at 11:17
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@Alenanno Actuly i used to get confused which word fits best in the context....lots of confusions at that time – prem shekhar Apr 23 '11 at 11:19

2 Answers

up vote 2 down vote accepted

thorough is not a synonym with either thru, threw and through, it means something completely different.

through is used in reference to a movement or passage that proceeds linearly through is quite common, while thru is nonstandard and should be avoided

http://thesaurus.com/browse/through

Threw (Past tense of throw)

propel something through the air

http://thesaurus.com/browse/threw

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OK, although just saying "nonstandard and should be avoided" is simply a value judgement and doesn't explain anything about when the form is actually used. My observation would be that it tends to be used in cases where there is a need to save space and/or for dramatic effect (e.g. advertising, titles, LED displays...). N.B. "thru" is rarely used in the UK. – Neil Coffey Apr 23 '11 at 14:39
up vote 1 down vote

“thorough” is a completely different word, which isn't pronounced remotely like “thru”, “threw”, and “through”. “thru” is an unorthographic writing of “through”. So, the remaining ambiguity (between “threw” and “through”) must just be decided by context.

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Isn't it clearer to only say " “thorough” isn't pronounced remotely like “thru”, “threw”, and “through”", because "threw" is also completely different word than "through". – Theta30 Apr 24 '11 at 2:02

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