across the grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across the grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe movement or location over a specific area, often in the context of a park, estate, or similar outdoor space. Example: "The children ran across the grounds, playing tag as they enjoyed the sunny afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Chickens saunter across the grounds.

The New York Times

They could be heard across the grounds.

The New York Times - Sports

Soares said his coach ran across the grounds to inquire about Makarova's willingness to team up.

The New York Times - Sports

A shag of poison ivy and bindweed has spread like a shadow across the grounds.

The New York Times

There are 13 drinking-water fountains across the grounds at SW19.

The Guardian - Sport

Federer, the No. 3 seed, had to deal with his own nightmare across the grounds on Suzanne Lenglen Court.

The New York Times - Sports

"Sounds like there's a riot," a woman watching the Radwanskas said, hearing a tremor rise from across the grounds.

The New Yorker

Richard Williams strolled across the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Wednesday afternoon.

The New York Times

The bright red bricks have dulled with age, the trees tower magnificently and the spring daffodils cascade across the grounds.

The New York Times

Even grandees of the big television networks joined the sprint across the grounds and into the lift, copies in hand.

The Guardian

With the chanting and singing spreading across the grounds, the protesters of Shahbag often resemble a jubilant flash-mob.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across the grounds" to create a sense of spaciousness and movement within a defined area, especially when describing events or activities happening in outdoor settings like parks, estates, or campuses.

Common error

Avoid using "across the grounds" when describing actions within a confined indoor space. Instead, opt for more appropriate prepositions such as "in", "within", or "throughout."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the grounds" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate location or direction. As Ludwig confirms, it describes movement or distribution over an area.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "across the grounds" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe movement or distribution within a defined outdoor area. As Ludwig highlights, it appears frequently in News & Media and Sports contexts, conveying a sense of spaciousness and activity. While generally neutral in register, it is essential to reserve its use for appropriate outdoor settings. Remember to use alternative prepositions when describing indoor actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throughout the property

Emphasizes a comprehensive spread across the entire extent of the land.

over the terrain

Highlights the natural features and contours of the land being traversed.

around the estate

Suggests a more refined or cultivated area, like a large garden or parkland.

across the park

Implies a public or recreational space, focusing on the area designated for leisure.

through the gardens

Focuses specifically on cultivated plant areas, emphasizing the flora.

within the confines

Highlights actions or objects constrained to the area within perimeter.

over the expanse

Implies actions or movements that cover a broad area of land.

covering the field

Emphasizes spreading and occupying the outdoor space.

scattered around

Focuses on the distribution of items or people in the specified area.

in the vicinity

Highlights the general area surrounding a location, without specifying movement.

FAQs

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

Use "across the grounds" to describe movement or distribution within a specific area, such as "The music echoed "across the grounds"" or "Staffers were scattered "across the grounds"".

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

Depending on the context, alternatives include "throughout the property", "over the terrain", or "around the estate".

Is it correct to use "across the grounds" when referring to indoor spaces?

No, "across the grounds" typically refers to outdoor areas. For indoor spaces, use prepositions like "in", "within", or "throughout".

What is the difference between "across the grounds" and "in the vicinity"?

"Across the grounds" implies movement or distribution over an area, while "in the vicinity" ("in the vicinity") refers to the general area surrounding a location without specifying movement.