across the window

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'across the window' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts to refer to something that is located on the other side of a window, either physically or figuratively. For example, "She could see him pacing back and forth across the window of the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Boards nailed across the window.

The New Yorker

And what about those boards nailed across the window?

The New Yorker

Moving quickly, Derek pulled the heavy, black curtains across the window.

The Guardian

Now his wife's rounded shadow rarely slants across the window pane – outside the city is gradually getting colder.

The Guardian - Books

That pushes off dirt particles and diffuses dust across the window, rather than clumping it together in droplets.

The New York Times

I'm no Indian!" Briggs eyed the bright prairie sun that was working its way across the window behind the sink.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

We set a 90 bases (30 Amino Acids) sliding window across the candidate lincRNA regions.

BMC Medical Genomics

Steel cross braces cut across the windows.

The New York Times - Arts

Heavy swag curtains fall across the windows.

The New Yorker

The wind whipped bursts of wet pellets across the windows.

The New Yorker

None had rough boards nailed across the windows.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "across the window" to describe movement, ensure the verb clearly indicates the type of movement, such as "streaking", "crawling", or "slanted".

Common error

Avoid using "across the window" when you mean something is simply at the window. "Across" implies a path or span, not just a static location. For example, instead of saying "He stood across the window", say "He stood at the window" if he wasn't moving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the window" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It describes the location or path of movement in relation to a window, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "across the window" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe the position, movement, or effect relating to a window. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid in written English. Its neutral register allows for versatile use across contexts, with higher frequency in News & Media and Science domains. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning of spanning or traversing the window rather than simply being located at it. Numerous examples can be found on Ludwig, highlighting its diverse applications in different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the window

Focuses more on a covering or spanning relationship, whereas "across" suggests movement or placement.

spanning the window

Emphasizes the act of covering or stretching over the window's surface.

covering the window

Highlights the action of obscuring or protecting the window.

in front of the window

Specifies a location directly facing or preceding the window, not necessarily touching it.

along the window

Suggests movement or placement parallel to the window's surface.

on the window surface

Implies direct contact with the window's outer layer.

before the window

Similar to 'in front of', but can also imply a temporal aspect.

transversing the window

A more formal way of saying 'crossing', suggesting a path or trajectory.

bisecting the window

Suggests dividing the window into two parts.

perpendicular to the window

Describes something at a right angle to the window.

FAQs

How can "across the window" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "across the window" typically describes movement, placement, or an effect spanning the surface or view of a window. For example, "Rain streaks "across the window"", or "Shadows fell "across the window"".

What are some alternatives to "across the window"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "over the window", "in front of the window", or "covering the window" to convey similar meanings.

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "Across the window" suggests movement or something spanning the window's surface, while "over the window" implies a covering or layering effect.

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

"Across the window" typically suggests movement or spanning the window's surface, whereas "on the window" indicates direct contact or placement on the window itself. For instance, "Rain runs "across the window"", but "There's a sticker on the window".