as we crossed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we crossed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that occurred while moving from one side to another, often in a narrative context. Example: "As we crossed the bridge, the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As we crossed Snow Mesa chewing on granola bars, ominous clouds began to coalesce behind us.

The Washington Post

As we crossed into near-darkness, Mr. Francesconi turned to me.

The New York Times

"Up there are the Andes," John said, gesturing backward as we crossed a wobbly suspension bridge.

The New York Times - Travel

As we crossed the parking lot, I heard two police officers saying the guy committed suicide.

The Washington Post

As we crossed a pontoon, crocodiles lurked menacingly in the river below us.

The Telegraph

As we crossed the road, I honestly cannot describe what happened to me.

The Guardian

There was no border control at all as we crossed into France.

The New York Times - Travel

As we crossed the Elbe at Dresden two rowing eights beat a lazy pace upstream.

The Guardian - Travel

As we crossed the border into Iran, he told us to be especially careful.

The New York Times - Travel

"Darn it, this is not good," he huffed as we crossed another empty beach.

The New York Times - Magazine

"As soon as we crossed the line, we're friends," Pistorius said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as we crossed" to smoothly integrate a description of something happening simultaneously with the act of moving across a specific area, such as a street, border, or landscape.

Common error

Avoid using the past perfect tense (had crossed) when the simple past (crossed) is sufficient to describe a single, completed action in the past. Using past perfect might imply a sequence of events that isn't intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we crossed" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when something happened. It provides temporal context, specifying that the action in the main clause occurred simultaneously with the act of crossing. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we crossed" is a versatile phrase functioning as an adverbial clause of time, primarily used to provide temporal context within a narrative. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various sources, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is consistent and accurately reflects the sequence of events. Consider alternatives like "while we were crossing" or "when we crossed" for subtle variations in meaning. Avoid overuse of the past perfect tense, and be mindful of whether you intend to convey simultaneity or sequence. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "as we crossed" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while we were crossing

Replaces "as" with "while" to emphasize the duration of the crossing action.

when we crossed

Substitutes "as" with "when", highlighting the timing of the crossing event.

during our crossing

Nominalizes the phrase, focusing on the crossing as an event.

as we made our way across

Adds emphasis to the effort of crossing.

upon crossing

Uses a more formal tone, emphasizing the moment of crossing.

on our way across

Focuses on the journey and direction.

in the process of crossing

Emphasizes the ongoing action of crossing.

while traversing

Uses a more formal verb, "traversing", to indicate crossing.

as we were in the act of crossing

More verbose, emphasizing the continuous action.

during the traverse

Nominalizes and formalizes the phrase, using "traverse".

FAQs

How can I use "as we crossed" in a sentence?

Use "as we crossed" to describe something that happened at the same time as the action of crossing a physical space. For example, "As we crossed the street, a car sped by."

What can I say instead of "as we crossed"?

You can use alternatives like "while we were crossing", "during our crossing", or "when we crossed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as we were crossing" instead of "as we crossed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "as we crossed" implies a completed action, while "as we were crossing" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action at that specific time. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "as we crossed" and "after we crossed"?

"As we crossed" indicates simultaneity—the events happened at the same time. "After we crossed" implies that the other event occurred after the crossing was completed. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the sequence of events.