across state lines

USAGE SUMMARY

'across state lines' is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "The shipment of goods was delivered successfully across state lines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

3. REPUBLICANS ASKED FOR - POLICIES ACROSS STATE LINES: "Interstate competition allowing people to buy insurance across state lines".

Huffington Post

Maybe some "across state lines" stuff?

Huffington Post

Need a snake transported across state lines?

The New York Times

Licensed growers cannot ship their products across state lines.

The Guardian

The law also prohibits transportation of cannabis across state lines.

The Guardian - Business

"You're talking about moving fish across state lines".

The New York Times

(I've had a few follow me across state lines).

The New York Times - Travel

He also would let consumers purchase policies across state lines.

The New York Times

The charges include conspiracy to transport firearms across state lines, conspiracy to transport defaced firearms across state lines, conspiracy to sell firearms across state lines and conspiracy to transport and receive stolen property across state lines, according to the complaint.

The New York Times

"We'll be chasing the same boy across state lines tomorrow".

The New York Times

"They compared it to sending shirts across state lines".

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or regulatory matters, ensure you accurately specify whether the action "across state lines" is permitted, restricted, or prohibited.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all activities "across state lines" are automatically subject to federal regulation; many activities are governed by state laws unless specifically preempted by federal law.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across state lines" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe where an action takes place. It specifies the geographical scope or boundary involved in an event or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "across state lines" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe activities that extend beyond the borders of a single state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase adheres to standard English grammar and finds frequent application, particularly within news and media contexts. It serves to highlight the interstate nature of an action, often carrying legal or regulatory implications. While predominantly neutral in tone, it can appear in both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, consider the legal and regulatory context to ensure accuracy. Alternatives like "interstate" or "between states" can provide similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interstate

A more concise adjective referring to something involving or existing between states.

between states

Directly indicates a relationship or movement occurring between different states.

crossing state borders

Emphasizes the act of physically moving from one state to another.

trans-state

Highlights movement or operation that spans multiple states.

state-to-state

Indicates a direct relationship or action from one state to another.

across jurisdictional boundaries

Refers to moving between areas of different legal authority.

beyond state lines

Implies an extension or impact that goes beyond the defined borders of a state.

nationally

A broader term indicating something affecting the entire country, not just individual states.

federally

Refers to actions or regulations at the national government level.

throughout the country

Describes activities or impacts that are widespread across the entire nation.

FAQs

How is "across state lines" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "across state lines" is generally used to describe the movement of people, goods, or information from one state to another. For example, "It is illegal to transport certain items across state lines".

What are some alternatives to saying "across state lines"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "interstate", "between states", or "crossing state borders". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When does an action "across state lines" become a federal matter?

An action "across state lines" often falls under federal jurisdiction when it involves interstate commerce, federal crimes (like kidnapping), or violations of federal laws that explicitly regulate activities spanning multiple states.

Is it always illegal to transport goods "across state lines"?

No, it is not always illegal. Many goods can be freely transported "across state lines" as part of interstate commerce. However, certain items, such as illegal drugs or certain agricultural products, may be restricted or prohibited.