across the width of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across the width of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that spans or extends from one side to the other side of a particular width, often in a physical or spatial context. Example: "The bridge was built across the width of the river, connecting both banks seamlessly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

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

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

At regular intervals, it considers local variations in color across the width of each band.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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

Playing across the width of the 18-yard box, the Liverpool forward found space between defenders with brilliantly timed runs.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "across the width of", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured. For example, "The banner stretched "across the width of" the building" provides better clarity than "The banner stretched "across the width of".

Common error

Avoid using "over the width of" interchangeably with "across the width of" when describing something spanning a space. "Across" indicates a traversal, while "over" suggests a position above.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the width of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or verbs by specifying the dimension over which something extends or moves. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

23%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "across the width of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe something spanning or extending over a particular width. As Ludwig AI verifies, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It is important to distinguish its meaning from similar phrases like "along the length of" or "over the width of" to ensure accurate communication. Remember to ensure clarity by explicitly specifying what is being measured when using this phrase. While the register is generally neutral, context should guide usage, favoring clarity and precision in all instances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spanning the breadth of

Replaces "width" with "breadth", emphasizing the extent across the dimension.

covering the expanse of

Uses "expanse" to highlight the area covered by the width.

over the entirety of

Emphasizes complete coverage of the width.

stretching across the span of

Highlights the act of extending over the width.

extending the full width of

Focuses on the extent reaching the complete width.

throughout the dimension of

More formal, using dimension to represent width.

transversely across

Uses "transversely" to specify the direction relative to the width.

crosswise over

Simpler and more informal way of saying across the width.

from side to side within

Descriptive, indicating movement from one side to the other.

perpendicular to its length

Describes the direction relative to the length to specify width.

FAQs

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

Use "across the width of" to describe something that extends or spans from one side to the other of something. For example, "The river flowed "across the width of" the valley".

What phrases are similar to "across the width of"?

Similar phrases include "spanning the breadth of", "covering the expanse of", or "extending the full width of". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "over" can sometimes be used to indicate position, "across the width of" specifically implies movement or extension from one side to the other. Therefore, using "across the width of" is usually more accurate when describing something that spans a space.

What's the difference between "along the length of" and "across the width of"?

"Along the length of" indicates movement or extension in the direction of the longest dimension, while "across the width of" indicates movement or extension in the direction of the shortest dimension. Use "along" when following the long side and "across" when following the short side.