across the length

USAGE SUMMARY

"across the length" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is happening the whole way across a certain area. For example, "The wind blew across the length of the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cut the chunky fish fillet across the length with a sharp knife into scallops.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Across the length and breadth of Britain, folk or traditional music is thriving again.

The Guardian - Travel

These included several mosques and houses across the length of Gaza.

The Guardian

It rolls across the length of the box slowly, without a lot of defenders around.

The New York Times - Sports

Walk north, across the length of the Yard, toward the Harvard Science Center.

Harvard University

Clothes hung on a thin rope that ran across the length of the room.

The New York Times

Across the length and breadth of the Soviet Union, this seemingly modest performance served quite well.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bangladesh continues to struggle to compete across the length of four-innings, five-day matches.

The New York Times - Sports

The mostly outdoor event has expanded across the length and breadth of the property.

The New York Times

For the next six years he traveled across the length and breadth of the vast empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Throughout the night, there were celebrations not only in Egypt, but across the length and breadth of the Arab world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across the length" to describe actions or features that extend from one end of something to the other. For example: "The crack ran across the length of the wall."

Common error

Avoid using "across the length" with verbs that don't logically describe extension or movement. Instead of "The book is across the length of the table", use "The book lies along the length of the table" or "The book covers a portion of the table's length."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the length" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying verbs to indicate direction, extent or location. It specifies the direction or scope of an action or attribute in relation to the longitudinal dimension of an object or space. Ludwig AI data confirms consistent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "across the length" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate extension, direction, or location along the longitudinal dimension of an object or area. It is deemed grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts such as news, science, and general knowledge, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While alternatives like "along the length" or "throughout the length" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns logically with the action or description it modifies. Therefore, this is a common and valid construction in English, suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through the extent of

Replaces "across" with "through", emphasizing passage within boundaries. It is somewhat more formal.

covering the entirety of

Emphasizes complete coverage, suitable when every part of something is affected or included.

along the stretch of

Focuses on a linear dimension, using "stretch" to convey length, particularly in geographical contexts.

over the expanse of

Highlights a broad, open area, fitting geographical or abstract contexts.

spanning the duration of

Shifts from spatial to temporal context, applying the idea of length to time, making it appropriate for events.

the full distance of

Emphasizes completing the total length or extent, suitable for tasks or journeys.

throughout the reach of

Implies influence or effect over a certain distance or scope.

traversing the dimension of

More formal, using "traversing" to suggest movement and "dimension" to specify length.

extending through the measure of

A more elaborate and formal way of expressing something that passes through the length.

going the distance of

Idiomatic, suggests completing a long task or journey, using length metaphorically.

FAQs

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

Use "across the length" to indicate something extending or moving from one end to the other. For example, "The banner stretched across the length of the building" or "Scratches appeared "along the length" of the car's hood".

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

Alternatives include "along the length", "throughout the length", or "spanning the length", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "over the length" instead of "across the length"?

While "over the length" might be understood, "across the length" is more common and idiomatic when describing something extending or moving from one side to the other. "Over the length" can imply a more general coverage rather than a direct extension.

When should I use "throughout the length" instead of "across the length"?

"Throughout the length" emphasizes that something is present or happening at every point along the length, whereas "across the length" simply indicates that it spans from one end to the other. For instance, "lights were installed "throughout the length" of the tunnel" indicates continuous lighting, while "a cable stretched "across the length" of the bridge" shows simple presence from one end to the other.