be across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be across" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone understands or is knowledgeable about a particular subject or situation. Example: "I need to be across the latest developments in the project before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We have confirmed that the launch will be "across Europe" according to our well-placed source.

TechCrunch

"It should be across all sports.

The Guardian - Sport

The other cuts will be across North America.

The New York Times

The fourth site will be across the river.

The New York Times

You don't want to be across the street".

The New York Times

Their imagined world burned out to be across th street.

The New Yorker

"It is going to be across the board".

The New York Times

"Wherever you draw the line, this should be across it".

The New York Times

"The garden simply happens to be across the river".

The New York Times

When the sun comes up, we'll be across the berm.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

3. SPLURGE WHEN IT MATTERS Most travelers will never be across-the-board cheapskates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be across" to indicate a comprehensive understanding of a topic, especially when conveying responsibility or oversight. For example, "The project manager needs to "be across" all aspects of the development process."

Common error

Avoid using "be across" when "be over" or "be through" are more appropriate. "Be over" signifies completion, while "be through" also indicates completion but can imply a negative experience. "Be across" refers to understanding or position, not completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be across" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often indicating a state of understanding or knowledge about a subject. Examples from Ludwig AI show it used to describe being informed or in a position to understand something fully.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be across" is a versatile expression used to convey understanding, knowledge, or position. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. It's important to use "be across" to accurately represent the intended meaning of understanding or spatial relationship and to avoid confusion with similar-sounding phrases. The phrase is quite common, making it a useful addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be knowledgeable about

Directly states the possession of knowledge.

be well-informed on

Highlights the comprehensiveness of the knowledge.

be familiar with

Focuses on having knowledge or experience of something.

be informed about

Emphasizes having received information.

have a good grasp of

Implies a strong understanding and control of a subject.

be acquainted with

Implies a personal knowledge or awareness.

be conversant with

Indicates a thorough understanding and ability to discuss something.

be versed in

Highlights expertise or skill in a particular area.

be situated across from

Specifically refers to a physical location opposite something.

be on the other side of

Indicates a position on the opposite side.

FAQs

What does "be across" mean?

The phrase "be across" typically means to be well-informed or knowledgeable about something, or to be situated on the opposite side of something.

How can I use "be across" in a sentence?

You can use "be across" to indicate understanding, as in "I need to "be across the details" before the presentation", or to describe a location, such as "The store is "be across the street"".

What are some alternatives to "be across" when referring to understanding?

Alternatives include "be familiar with", "be knowledgeable about", or "be well-informed on". These phrases all convey a similar meaning of having a good understanding of a subject.

Is it correct to say "be across of" instead of "be across"?

No, the correct phrase is "be across". Adding "of" is grammatically incorrect in this context. For example, you should say "I need to "be across the project"", not "be across of the project".