throw at vs throw to — at = target, to = receiver (Murphy Unit 132)
Pattern
Section titled “Pattern”throw + something + at = aiming to hit (hostile/aggressive). throw + something + to = passing for someone to catch (friendly).
- Don’t throw stones at the birds. (trying to hit them — cruel) ✓
- Throw the ball to Tom. (Tom catches it — friendly)
The at/to split for “throw”
Section titled “The at/to split for “throw””| at | to | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | aim at, intend to hit | pass for someone to catch |
| Intent | hostile / aggressive | friendly / cooperative |
| Example | throw stones at the birds | throw the ball to Tom |
| Indonesian | melempar ke arah (targeted) | mengoper ke (receiver) |
Same split with other verbs
Section titled “Same split with other verbs”| Verb | at = directed target | to = receiver |
|---|---|---|
| shout | shout at him (angry) | shout to him (across distance) |
| point | point at the map (indicate) | point to the exit (direction) |
| smile | smile at her (directed) | (rare) |
| laugh | laugh at him (mock) | laugh to oneself (to oneself only) |
The rule
Section titled “The rule”- at = hostile / directed target (the thing being hit or aimed at)
- to = receiver / recipient (the person who gets the thing)
Context clue: the card says “It’s cruel” — cruelty means the birds are being targeted → at.
Test application
Section titled “Test application”Don’t throw stones ___ the birds. It’s cruel.
Answer: at — stones aimed to hit the birds (cruel). Throw to would mean giving the birds stones to catch — nonsense here.
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use (4th ed.), Unit 132 — Verb + preposition 1. Ebot lesson 2026-08-29: “Don’t throw stones ___ the birds” → at (hostile target vs friendly receiver).