across from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'across from' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you want to indicate that two people or places are on opposite sides of something. For example, "I saw my friend standing across from me in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A handsome couple was sitting across from us.

Huffington Post

He sat across from her.

The New Yorker

I sat across from Clinton.

The New Yorker

Multrey sat across from them.

The New Yorker

Bar was across from the latter.

The New Yorker

The blue woman sat across from him.

The New York Times

A man sitting across from me stared.

The New Yorker

Across from Mullanes is Frank's Cocktail Lounge.

The New York Times - Sports

A woman was sitting across from him.

The New Yorker

Across from us was Arrow Productions.

The New York Times

"Across from South Ferry".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing locations, use "across from" to clearly indicate that one place is directly facing another, providing a straightforward spatial reference.

Common error

Avoid using "in front of" when you specifically mean something is facing you on the opposite side. "In front of" can imply a closer proximity and not necessarily a direct facing position, while "across from" clearly defines a face-to-face spatial relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across from" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating spatial relationships. It specifies the location of one thing in relation to another, signifying that they are facing each other with a space in between. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "across from" is a very common prepositional phrase used to indicate a spatial relationship where two entities face each other. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, with frequent appearances in news and media. When describing locations, it's essential to differentiate it from "in front of", ensuring clarity in your writing. Related phrases like "opposite to" offer suitable alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite to

Uses a different preposition to convey the same meaning of being in a position facing something.

facing

A shorter, more direct synonym indicating the same spatial relationship.

on the other side of

Describes the position in terms of being on the opposite side.

directly opposite

Adds emphasis to the facing position.

vis-à-vis

A more formal term, borrowed from French, indicating a facing position or in relation to.

in front of

While similar, this can also imply being slightly ahead, not necessarily directly facing.

confronting

Implies a more direct and potentially adversarial facing position.

overlooking

Suggests a higher vantage point while facing something.

fronting

A less common synonym for facing.

in opposition to

Indicates a facing position but with a sense of contrast or conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "across from" in a sentence?

Use "across from" to indicate that something is located on the opposite side of a street, room, or other space. For example, "The bank is located across from the post office" or "I sat across from her at the table".

What's a more formal way to say "across from"?

While "across from" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, you could use "opposite to" or "vis-à-vis" for a more formal tone, depending on the situation.

Is there a subtle difference between "across from" and "in front of"?

Yes, "across from" suggests a direct facing position, while "in front of" simply means ahead or before, without necessarily implying a facing orientation. Something "across from" you is on the other side of a defined space, directly facing you.

Can I use "opposite" instead of "across from"?

Yes, "opposite to" is a direct synonym for "across from" and can often be used interchangeably. For example, "The library is opposite the park" is equivalent to "The library is across from the park".