across the low

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across the low" is not standard or commonly used in written English.
It may be used in specific contexts, such as poetry or creative writing, but it lacks clarity in general communication. Example: "The river flowed gently across the low, misty valley at dawn."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Shepherds move their animals across the low, rolling yellow hills while children run about the playground.

The Guardian

At Torloisk on the western edge, Mackay has considerately scattered Highland cattle – so photogenic, so ginger – across the low ground.

The Guardian

It stretches from the limestone plateaus of the Obshchy Syrt in the west, across the low Urals ridges, to the flat Turgay Plateau in the east.

Britannica

At dusk and just after, it drifts in narrow banners, head-high, across the low spots in the country north of the city.

The New York Times

For his part, Mr. Santorum drew booming applause from crowds of several hundred people as he traveled across the Low Country region of the state last week.

The New York Times

The heat rejected during the operation of thermoelectric devices is conserved through innovative design of fluid flow across the low and high temperature junctions.

Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Torrential rains in recent years have caused outbreaks of leptospirosis across the low-lying capital.

The Guardian

"What our study shows is that this is a widespread phenomenon across the low-wage labor market in the United States".

The New York Times

There are 60 apartments in all, several offering panoramic views across the low-rise town houses of the community to the waterfront and beyond.

The New York Times

I mean subterranean snake that bloats up in every good rain, oozing out semi-stagnant across the low-lying five feet or so at the back of each property.

The New York Times

That constant, slow coursing nurtured myriad species of birds, fish and other animals across the low-lying Everglades, half of which have been lost to agriculture and development over the last century.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement or distribution in a physical space, consider whether "across the low-lying area" might be more precise than "across the low". The added clarity can improve readability.

Common error

Avoid using "across the low" as a universal phrase for all situations involving something being 'low'. Ensure the context specifically benefits from this construction, and that a more common alternative like 'at the bottom' or 'in the lower section' wouldn't be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the low" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating a location or path of movement. As seen in Ludwig, it describes how something extends or travels over a surface or area with minimal height.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "across the low" functions as a prepositional phrase that describes movement, distribution, or location in relation to an area with little height, predominantly appearing in News & Media and Science contexts. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests the phrase can sometimes benefit from added context or more precise wording. Alternatives such as "over the low-lying area" or "through the low terrain" may provide better clarity depending on the specific situation. Although "across the low" is used, writers should be mindful of its potential vagueness and ensure the context is clear. Despite its neutral formality, its moderate frequency suggests it's not a commonplace expression in everyday speech, as analyzed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the low-lying area

Replaces "across" with "over" and adds "lying" for clarity, emphasizing the area's flatness.

through the low terrain

Substitutes "across" with "through" and "low" with "terrain", highlighting the passage through a specific landscape.

spanning the minimal height

Uses more formal language to describe covering a short vertical distance.

traversing the depressed region

Replaces "low" with "depressed", indicating a sunken or lower area.

covering the shallow depth

Focuses on depth rather than height, suitable when referring to water or similar contexts.

extending over the short span

Highlights the short distance being covered.

reaching the minimum level

Emphasizes achievement of a lower position or value.

permeating the undergrowth

Implies penetration or spread through low-growing vegetation.

scattered on the ground

Emphasizes a wide distribution of objects on a low surface.

distributed along the base

Focuses on allocation or arrangement along a foundation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "across the low" is often used to describe movement or distribution over a surface or area that is at a low level. For example: "Shepherds move their animals "across the low rolling hills"".

What are some alternatives to "across the low"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "over the low-lying area", "through the low terrain", or "spanning the minimal height". Consider which phrase best conveys your intended meaning.

Is "across the low" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "across the low" can sometimes sound awkward or vague. Consider whether adding clarifying words such as "area", "ground", or "level" would improve the clarity of your sentence.

When is it best to use "across the low" instead of other similar phrases?

Use "across the low" when you specifically want to emphasize movement or coverage over a surface that is characterized by its lack of height or elevation. Ensure that the context makes it clear what the "low" refers to.