throw a ball

Meaning

This literal phrase means to propel a ball through the air using your hand and arm. It is a fundamental physical action used in many sports, games, and casual outdoor activities with friends, children, or pets. The phrase is highly common and neutral in tone.

Examples

• We went to the park this afternoon just to throw a ball around.

  We went to the park this afternoon just to throw a ball around.

• Can you throw a ball to the dog so he can chase it?

  Can you throw a ball to the dog so he can chase it?

• He learned how to throw a ball at a very young age.

  He learned how to throw a ball at a very young age.

• She tried to throw a ball to me, but it landed in the bushes.

  She tried to throw a ball to me, but it landed in the bushes.

• It is surprisingly hard to throw a ball accurately with your non-dominant hand.

  It is surprisingly hard to throw a ball accurately with your non-dominant hand.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He threw a ball to his dog to catch.

  ✓ He threw a ball for his dog to catch.

  We generally throw a ball 'to' a person so they can catch it, but 'for' a pet/dog to fetch.

• ✗ She launched a ball to me.

  ✓ She threw a ball to me.

  The word 'launch' is too dramatic and formal for a simple physical action of throwing a play ball.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Let's go outside and ___ for the puppy.

  💡 Propel a spherical toy for the pet.

  Show answer

  throw a ball

• My shoulder hurts, so I can't ___ very far today.

  💡 Cast a round object through the air.

  Show answer

  throw a ball