across the boundary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across the boundary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation in which something or someone is located at a border or limit. For example: He crossed the boundary and entered the forbidden forest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before this conflict, some 30,000 Gazans worked across the boundary.

The New York Times

Any matter that gets too close vanishes across the boundary, like water down a drain.

The New York Times

In the dystopian "Snow Crash" vision of the world, virus-like software leaps across the boundary separating machines from humans.

The New York Times

(It's this attempt to make them sympathetic that pushes "The Green Mile" across the boundary between a movie about racism and a vaguely racist movie).

The New York Times

For Lundqvist, who often handles the puck so inelegantly that he makes you wince, the puck sat just across the boundary.

The New Yorker

Pro-government forces and Israeli troops have fired across the boundary between southern Syria and the Israeli-controlled side of the Golan Heights.

The New York Times

"If anything, all the attention from us has further legitimized the U.C.P.M.B.," said one senior United Nations official who has made several trips across the boundary.

The New York Times

Violence by Palestinian militants in the Jordan Valley is prompting some Israeli settlers to move back across the boundary between the West Bank and Israel.

The New York Times

Southwell Minster, the most charming and perhaps least-known cathedral in England, is 25 miles away, just across the boundary in Nottinghamshire.

The New York Times - Travel

She has that same uncanny ability to move across the boundary between reading lines and beginning to act a scene, and you never see the join".

The New York Times

In a decade the population on the Mexican side has increased by nearly half, compared with one-fifth across the boundary.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across the boundary" to clearly indicate movement or existence on both sides of a defined border, whether physical or abstract. This helps ensure precision and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "across the boundary" when you mean "along the boundary". "Across" indicates movement from one side to another, while "along" suggests movement parallel to the boundary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the boundary" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies verbs by indicating the direction or location of an action in relation to a defined border or limit, both physically and conceptually, as seen in the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "across the boundary" is a grammatically sound and frequently utilized adverbial phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to denote movement or positioning relative to a specified border, whether real or conceptual. Found predominantly in scientific and news contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral level of formality, suitable for varied communications. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread applicability, offering clear examples of its usage across diverse domains. Writers should consider "beyond the border" or "over the threshold" as possible replacements, but must avoid confusing it with similar sounding phrases such as along the boundary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond the border

Emphasizes movement to the other side of a border, focusing on the destination.

past the dividing line

Highlights the act of surpassing a separator, often a physical or conceptual one.

over the threshold

Implies crossing a significant point or beginning a new stage or experience.

on the other side

Focuses on the location after crossing a boundary, with a simple spatial orientation.

transgressing the limit

Suggests violation or overstepping a boundary, often with negative connotations.

bridging the gap

Implies connecting two separate entities or ideas, suggesting overcoming a divide.

intersecting the plane

Indicates crossing an imaginary or mathematical surface.

straddling the line

Means to be in two different countries at the same time.

within the bounds

Suggests existence is limited by its parameters.

within touching distance

Shows that something is nearly touching.

FAQs

How can I use "across the boundary" in a sentence?

You can use "across the boundary" to describe movement or position in relation to a border. For example: "The refugees moved across the boundary into the neighboring country".

What's a good alternative to "across the boundary"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "beyond the border", "over the threshold", or "past the dividing line".

Is it correct to say "cross the boundary" instead of "across the boundary"?

While "cross the boundary" is grammatically correct and often used, "across the boundary" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, providing additional context about the manner or location of crossing.

What is the difference between "across the boundary" and "on the boundary"?

"Across the boundary" implies movement or existence spanning the border, whereas "on the boundary" suggests being situated directly at the border itself.