across the width

USAGE SUMMARY

'across the width' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe movement or direction as in the following example sentence: I walked slowly across the width of the beach, taking in the scenery.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Measure approx 10cm from the bottom and cut across the width of the fabric.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then cut across the width 9-10 tomes to get 18-20 small breadsticks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You have to reach across the width of the keyboard to get to them.

The New York Times - Tech

Plays across the width of the 18-yard box and is mature for his age.

The Guardian - Sport

But, ultimately, he went unaided across the width of the ice.

The New York Times

They are set on edge and placed in parallel rows across the width of the house.

Britannica

Skiers are spread across the width of the course for clarity.

The New York Times - Sports

Chilly are the iron chains lying across the width of the Great Ferry.

Columbia University

One laser is shot across the width of the cloud of condensate.

Harvard University

The N.H.L. laid the rink across the width of the snow-covered infield, just behind the mound.

The New York Times - Sports

With the right sides together, fold the snout side in half across the width, aligning the short ends.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across the width" to clearly indicate movement, extension, or coverage from one side of something to the other. For instance, "The banner stretched across the width of the building."

Common error

Avoid using "across the width" when referring to length or depth. Ensure the context involves a measurement or movement pertaining specifically to the width of an object or space.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the width" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. As evidenced by Ludwig, it indicates direction or extent, specifying that something moves or spans from one side of a measured area to its opposite side.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

27%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "across the width" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to describe movement, extension, or coverage from one side of something to the other. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Wiki sources, its register remains mostly neutral, yet adaptable to formal or technical environments. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context specifically relates to the width, avoiding confusion with length or depth. Alternatives such as "spanning the width" or "covering the width" can be considered based on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extending across the width

Adds emphasis to the extension or reach over the width.

spanning the width

Replaces "across" with "spanning", emphasizing the act of covering or extending over the width.

widthwise

A concise adverb indicating direction or orientation along the width.

over the width

Replaces "across" with "over", suggesting movement or extension above the width.

traversing the width

Replaces "across" with "traversing", suggesting a movement or journey across the width.

crosswise

Indicates a direction that intersects the length, effectively going across the width.

covering the width

Focuses on the act of covering the entire width, implying completeness.

through the width

Suggests movement or passage directly through the width.

from side to side

Simplifies the phrase to a more general description of movement or extension.

horizontally

Uses an adverb to indicate movement or orientation along the width.

FAQs

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

You can use "across the width" to describe something that extends or moves from one side of an object or space to the other. For example, "The river flowed "across the width" of the valley."

What are some alternatives to saying "across the width"?

Alternatives include "spanning the width", "covering the width", or "extending across the width", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "along the width" instead of "across the width"?

While "along" indicates movement parallel to a dimension, "across" indicates movement perpendicular to it. Therefore, use "along the width" if following its side and "across the width" when traversing from one side to the other.

When is it appropriate to use "over the width" instead of "across the width"?

"Across the width" suggests a more general movement or extension. "Over the width" implies something is positioned above or is passing over the width, such as a bridge "spanning the width" of a river.