crossed over

USAGE SUMMARY

"crossed over" is a correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone has made a transition from one state or situation to another. For example, "After years of feeling lost and uncertain, she finally crossed over into a new lifestyle of confidence and independence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He had finally crossed over.

The New Yorker

She had crossed over.

The New Yorker

Sam Cooke crossed over.

The New Yorker

Hardly anybody crossed over".

The New York Times

I would not say I crossed over.

The New York Times

Ganesh and I crossed over for breakfast.

The New Yorker

And then he crossed over the bridge.

The New York Times

But has art crossed over into life?

The Guardian - Film

He crossed over water, scanning for boats.

The New York Times

Miley Cyrus crossed over to Mike Will".

The New Yorker

This crossed over into sex as well.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crossed over", ensure the context clearly indicates what boundary or threshold was traversed, whether physical or metaphorical. For example, "The artist crossed over from painting to sculpture."

Common error

Avoid using "crossed over" when a simpler verb like 'passed' or 'moved' suffices. Overusing it in purely physical contexts can sound unnecessarily dramatic.

Linguistic Context

Crossed over functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating a movement or transition from one state or condition to another. Examples from Ludwig show it used both literally, such as physically crossing a street, and metaphorically, such as an artist transitioning between mediums. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crossed over" is a versatile phrasal verb denoting movement or transition, both literal and metaphorical. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its prevalence across diverse sources—from news outlets like The New York Times to scientific publications and Wikipedia—underscores its wide applicability. While related to phrases like "transitioned" or "moved across", it uniquely captures the sense of traversing a boundary. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the nature of the boundary is key, while overuse in simple physical contexts should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transitioned

Focuses on a smooth or gradual change from one state to another, unlike "crossed over" which can imply a more distinct boundary.

switched over

Implies a deliberate change or conversion from one thing to another, a more active choice than simply crossing.

gone beyond

Focuses on exceeding a limit or boundary, similar to "crossed over" but with emphasis on surpassing.

moved across

Highlights physical movement from one side to another, less abstract than "crossed over".

made the leap

Conveys a significant, often risky change, differing from the possibly mundane "crossed over".

passed over

Emphasizes moving beyond or ignoring something, differing from the transformative sense of "crossed over".

shifted

Indicates a change in position or direction, less specific than the act of crossing over.

converted

Implies a transformation, often religious or ideological, carrying a different connotation than "crossed over".

defected

Suggests abandonment of one cause or allegiance for another, unlike the neutral act of crossing over.

immigrated

Relates specifically to moving from one country to another, distinct from the general sense of "crossed over".

FAQs

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

You can use "crossed over" to describe a physical movement, like "He crossed over the street", or a metaphorical transition, such as "The band crossed over into mainstream popularity".

What does it mean when someone has "crossed over"?

Typically, "crossed over" implies a transition or shift from one state, condition, or category to another. It can also refer to someone dying, implying they have passed to the afterlife.

Are there alternatives to "crossed over"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "transitioned", "moved across", or "switched over".

Is it correct to say someone "passed over" instead of "crossed over"?

While both phrases can refer to death, "passed over" is more commonly used in that specific context. "Crossed over" has a broader range of meanings beyond just death.