across the side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across the side" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are describing something that spans or extends over the side of an object or area, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The painting was hung across the side of the wall, creating a striking visual effect."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A black V-neck had neon programming code skittering across the side — very "OK Computer" ($42).

The New York Times

Emblazoned across the side is "Preston: home of the parched pea since 1773".

The Guardian

Advertisements for the upcoming film are plastered across the side of every bus in Manchester.

Independent

Once you've picked this out of thin air, you notice the large "River Island" emblazoned across the side.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One is a long cylindrical tube that inflates across the side window area to prevent head contact with solid parts of the car's interior.

The New York Times

He is once again selling used cars, including the gray Chevy pick-up truck that still has "Just Married" streaked in white across the side windows.

The New York Times

Ever collected a coffee at Starbucks to find a butchered version of your name is scrawled across the side of the cup?

The Guardian - Tech

A hot-dog van sits outside Molineux every other Saturday, "Relish The Thought" emblazoned cutely across the side in red paint.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He laid the corpse face down in the middle of the boat, across the side-to-side wood struts that fishermen refer to as the whalebones.

The New York Times

Emblazoned across the sides of the motorbikes was the logo of Jumia, a company that brands itself as the "largest e-commerce platform in Africa".

The New Yorker

A large NN logo (for CoNNection) is splashed across the sides of the buses, diminishing -- though not entirely obstructing -- the view out the windows.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific location, consider more precise alternatives like "along the side" or "on the side" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "across the side" when a more direct prepositional phrase such as "on the side" or "along the side" would provide greater clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the side" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying a location or direction. It describes something extending or spanning a lateral surface, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "across the side" is a prepositional phrase used to describe the position or extension of something relative to a lateral surface. While very common, according to Ludwig, it is not always the most grammatically precise option and may benefit from more specific alternatives like "along the side" or "on the side". The phrase appears frequently in news and media, but also in scientific and general contexts. While understandable, writers should strive for more direct phrasing in formal or scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

along the side

Indicates movement or extension parallel to the side.

on the side

Suggests placement or location on a lateral surface.

over the side

Implies movement or extension from one side to another.

spanning the side

Highlights the act of covering or stretching over the side.

covering the side

Emphasizes the act of enveloping or protecting the side.

extending laterally

Focuses on the sideways direction of the extension.

to the side

Denotes direction or orientation towards a lateral direction.

at the flank

Refers to a lateral part, often in a military or anatomical context.

sideways

A more concise way to indicate lateral movement or position.

transversely

Indicates a crossing or extending across a transverse axis.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "across the side"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "along the side", "on the side", or "over the side".

Is "across the side" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "across the side" is not always the most grammatically precise choice. Consider alternatives like "along the side" or "on the side" for better clarity.

How do I use "across the side" in a sentence?

You can use "across the side" to describe something that extends or spans over the side of an object, but ensure the context is clear. Alternatives might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "across the side" and "on the side"?

"Across the side" suggests spanning or traversing the side, while "on the side" indicates a position or location. For example, you might say "a mural painted "across the side" of a building" versus "a table on the side of the room".