crossing a bridge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crossing a bridge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to refer to dealing with a problem or situation when you reach it, often implying that one should not worry about future issues until they arise. Example: "Let's not stress about the budget cuts right now; we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They started crossing a bridge over the Moscow river.

The Guardian

Jorge Colombo sketches a bicyclist crossing a bridge, using Brushes, an application for the iPhone.

The New Yorker

Shortly after crossing a bridge turn right along a tree-lined footpath.

The Guardian - Travel

After crossing a bridge into the abandoned village, I found several empty buildings.

The New York Times - Travel

And a picture showing the writer crossing a bridge on the Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania carried an erroneous credit.

The New York Times

The videos, generated by… Jorge Colombo sketches a bicyclist crossing a bridge, using Brushes, an application for the iPhone.

The New Yorker

There is a lovely spread with Mendleman crossing a bridge with hints of light as the sun begins to rise.

The New York Times - Books

While crossing a bridge over a drainage ditch, Mr. Murtaugh slipped on a patch of ice, breaking his right wrist.

The New York Times

Satellite image of thousands of Syrian refugees crossing a bridge over the Tigris River, into northern Iraq.

The New Yorker

After going down steps and crossing a bridge the path will take you to the foot of the falls.

The Guardian - Travel

You can stop someone from crossing a bridge that is broken, he said, because you can be sure no one wants to plummet into the river.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crossing a bridge" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly relates to overcoming an obstacle or making a transition. For example, "We'll address the funding issue when we're crossing that bridge".

Common error

Don't rely on the phrase "crossing a bridge" when a more direct or specific action verb would be clearer. Saying "We will plan for the expansion later" is often better than "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crossing a bridge" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It can serve as the subject of a sentence (e.g., "Crossing a bridge can be scary") or as part of a larger noun phrase. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is used in both literal and figurative senses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crossing a bridge" is a common and versatile gerund phrase. Grammatically sound and widely used, it functions both literally to describe the act of traversing a bridge and metaphorically to represent addressing future challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, its metaphorical usage is suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using it metaphorically, ensure it clearly connects to overcoming an obstacle or transition, and avoid overuse when direct language would provide clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traversing a bridge

Replaces "crossing" with "traversing", emphasizing the act of moving across.

going over a bridge

Uses simpler vocabulary, replacing "crossing" with "going over".

passing over a bridge

Emphasizes the act of passing a point on the bridge.

making a bridge crossing

Nominalizes the phrase, focusing on the event of crossing.

navigating a bridge

Implies careful movement or skill in getting across.

spanning a bridge

Shifts focus to the bridge itself and its ability to span a gap.

driving across a bridge

Specifies the mode of transportation used to cross.

walking across a bridge

Specifies the mode of transportation as walking.

on a bridge

Shortens the phrase by focusing on the state of being on the bridge.

over the bridge

Similar to "going over a bridge", focuses on the destination.

FAQs

How can I use "crossing a bridge" in a sentence?

You can use "crossing a bridge" literally, such as "They were "crossing a bridge" over the river", or metaphorically, such as "We'll "cross that bridge when we come to it", meaning we will deal with the problem when it arises.

What is the difference between "crossing a bridge" and "crossing the bridge"?

While both phrases refer to the action of traversing a bridge, "crossing a bridge" implies that any bridge will do. In contrast, "crossing the bridge" specifies a particular, previously mentioned or understood bridge.

What can I say instead of "crossing a bridge" when referring to a future problem?

If you're using it metaphorically to postpone dealing with a problem, you could say "deal with it later", "address it when necessary", or "we'll burn that bridge when we get to it" if you want to be more emphatic.

Is it always appropriate to use the idiom "cross that bridge when we come to it"?

While widely understood, the idiom ""cross that bridge when we come to it"" may not be suitable for formal or professional contexts. In such situations, opting for more direct language like "we will address this issue later" is preferable.