climbing over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "climbing over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of ascending or traversing an obstacle or barrier. Example: "The children were climbing over the fence to retrieve their ball."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Gould is climbing over Bach's construction, clambering over the whole.

The New York Times - Magazine

People were climbing over one another just to breathe.

Independent

I remember climbing over huge, well packed snow mounds.

The New Yorker

Indoor climbing over relatively small heights, with no ropes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said he escaped by climbing over a brick wall.

The New York Times

José Ramón Sandoval climbing over the barrier to embrace supporters, supporters climbing over barriers to embrace the players.

The Guardian - Sport

"Climbing over a chain-link fence when I was a kid".

The New Yorker

The bundle feels soft, as if the car were climbing over a felled banana tree.

The New Yorker

They could reach it fairly easily, by climbing over a pile of rubble.

The New Yorker

But when he was spotted climbing over railway tracks, he was shot in the head.

Independent

"All these people with their bundles, everything they could carry, were climbing over the girders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "climbing over" to describe a physical action of moving across an obstacle. For metaphorical usage, consider alternatives like "surmounting" or "overcoming" to maintain formality.

Common error

Avoid using "climbing over" in highly abstract or formal writing when more sophisticated vocabulary would be appropriate. For instance, instead of "climbing over a problem", consider "resolving" or "addressing" the issue.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "climbing over" is that of a phrasal verb, indicating an action of ascending and moving across a barrier or obstacle. It combines the verb "climbing" with the preposition "over" to create a distinct meaning. As Ludwig indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "climbing over" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the act of ascending and traversing a physical or metaphorical barrier. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While generally acceptable, it's advisable to consider more sophisticated alternatives like "surmounting" or "overcoming" in highly formal writing. Remember to use "climbing over" to describe the act of moving across an obstacle, and when used metaphorically, to be aware of the level of formality that you aim to express in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scaling

Emphasizes the act of ascending something, often a barrier or obstacle.

scrambling over

Implies a hurried or awkward ascent, suggesting a greater level of difficulty.

vaulting over

Indicates jumping or leaping over something.

clambering up

Focuses on the upward movement with difficulty.

going over

A more general term that suggests traversing something without necessarily specifying the manner.

passing over

Suggests moving beyond or ignoring something.

traversing

A more formal way of saying crossing or moving across.

surmounting

Implies overcoming a significant obstacle or challenge.

negotiating

Suggests carefully maneuvering around or through obstacles.

stepping over

Implies a simple act of avoiding something by stepping over it.

FAQs

How can I use "climbing over" in a sentence?

You can use "climbing over" to describe a physical action, such as "The hiker was climbing over the rocks" or metaphorically, like "She had to keep climbing over obstacles to achieve her goals".

What are some synonyms for "climbing over"?

Alternatives include "scaling", "scrambling over", or "vaulting over" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "climbing over" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider more sophisticated synonyms like "surmounting" or "overcoming" to maintain the tone.

What's the difference between "climbing over" and "going over"?

"Climbing over" specifically implies ascending and traversing an obstacle. "Going over" is a more general term that suggests simply crossing or reviewing something without necessarily specifying the manner.