across the yard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across the yard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe movement or location in relation to a yard, typically indicating a position or direction. Example: "The dog ran across the yard to chase after the ball."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tumbleweeds catapulted across the yard.

The New Yorker

A squirrel darts across the yard.

The New York Times

Gould's laugh jangles across the yard.

The Guardian - Sport

Just across the yard, in Gibbs' Building".

The Guardian - Books

The guesthouse is across the yard, nestled near woods.

The New York Times

Then the next 30 appear, and jog across the yard.

The Guardian

Cedric is led on a brief trot across the yard.

The Guardian

A forklift had carried it across the yard.

The New Yorker

Across the yard, a forklift had deposited a stack of lumber under a hangar to dry.

The New Yorker

Nkape moved slowly across the yard, his limbs engaged in a controlled sway.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The porches were gone, and a 107-foot telephone pole lay across the yard, having missed the house by inches.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement, use "across the yard" to clearly indicate a path from one side to the other. For example, "The children ran "across the yard" to greet their grandparents."

Common error

Avoid using prepositions like 'over' or 'on' interchangeably with 'across' if you specifically want to convey movement from one side of the yard to the other. 'Over the yard' might suggest flying above it, while 'on the yard' could imply being located on the surface, not necessarily traversing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the yard" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the direction or path of movement. This is consistent with examples from Ludwig that describe actions occurring in relation to a yard, such as running or walking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "across the yard" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. It describes movement or position in relation to a yard, as confirmed by Ludwig's AI analysis and numerous examples. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various communication contexts, particularly news and media. As demonstrated by Ludwig, authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian commonly employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the yard

Replaces "across" with "over", suggesting movement above the surface of the yard.

through the yard

Uses "through" instead of "across", emphasizing passage within the boundaries of the yard.

on the other side of the yard

Specifies a location on the opposite side of the yard.

to the far side of the yard

Highlights the distance to the opposite side of the yard.

towards the yard's edge

Focuses on movement in the direction of the yard's boundary.

in the direction of the yard

Generalizes the movement towards the yard without specifying the exact location.

spanning the yard

Emphasizes the full extent of the yard being covered.

traversing the yard

A more formal way of saying "moving across the yard."

beyond the yard

Indicates something is situated further than the yard.

within the bounds of the yard

Highlights that something is taking place or located inside the yard.

FAQs

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

Use "across the yard" to describe movement from one point to another within a yard. For example, "The dog chased the squirrel "across the yard"."

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

Alternatives include "over the yard", "through the yard", or "on the other side of the yard" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "across the yard"?

Yes, "across the yard" is grammatically correct. It's a common prepositional phrase used to indicate movement or location relative to a yard.

What's the difference between "across the yard" and "in the yard"?

"Across the yard" implies movement or extension from one side of the yard to the other, while "in the yard" simply indicates a location within the boundaries of the yard.