fell across

USAGE SUMMARY

"fell across" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has moved from one side to the other, usually in a clumsy way. For example, "He tripped and fell across the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The axe fell across the board, felling engineers, accountants, marketing types and managers.

Forbes

Asian shares fell across the board.

The New York Times

Heavy snow fell across south-east England.

The Guardian

A shadow fell across the Engadine.

The Guardian

Face down, he fell across my rattan lounger.

The New Yorker

A curtain of jet-black bangs fell across her knuckles.

The New York Times

Shares of financial companies fell across the board.

The New York Times

Share prices fell across Europe but not wildly.

The Guardian - Business

He stumbled and almost fell across the road.

The Guardian - Tech

Up to 90mm of rain fell across Sydney on Sunday.

The Guardian

Gap shares fell 4.1 percent after sales fell across all its brands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fell across" to describe the way someone or something unexpectedly or clumsily moved from one side of an area or object to another.

Common error

Avoid using "fell across" when describing abstract concepts or metaphorical situations where a more appropriate verb like "spread", "affected", or "impacted" would be clearer. The phrase is best suited for literal, physical scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fell across" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing an action involving movement from one point to another, often unexpectedly. Ludwig examples show its use in describing both physical actions and broader impacts, such as "Heavy snow fell across south-east England."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fell across" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes movement or impact from one side of something to another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Wiki, indicating a neutral register. Related phrases include "spread across" and "descended upon", which offer similar but nuanced meanings. When using "fell across", ensure it's appropriate for the literal physical action you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descended upon

Conveys a sense of arrival or impact, highlighting the suddenness of the event.

spread across

Emphasizes distribution over an area, differing from the potential impact implied by "fell across".

swept over

Implies a rapid and extensive movement across an area, often with force or influence.

blanketed

Suggests a comprehensive covering, which is a more figurative sense than the literal movement in "fell across".

passed over

Indicates movement from one side to another without necessarily implying contact or impact.

extended over

Focuses on the reach or scope of something, rather than the act of falling.

washed over

Conveys a strong emotional or sensory impact, as if being overwhelmed by a wave.

reached over

Highlights the action of extending or stretching to get to the other side of something.

came over

Indicates movement from one place to another, often implying a change or effect on the destination.

arrived in

Simply indicates the arrival at a location, lacking the sense of motion across something.

FAQs

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

You can use "fell across" to describe the motion of someone or something moving from one side to another, often unexpectedly or clumsily. For example, "He "stumbled and fell across" the room".

What does "fell across" mean?

"Fell across" means to move, drop, or extend from one side of something to the other, usually in an uncontrolled or unplanned manner. It often suggests a lack of grace or control in the movement.

Are there synonyms for "fell across" that I can use?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "spread across", "swept over", or "descended upon". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "fell across" or "fell over"?

The choice between "fell across" and "fell over" depends on the context. "Fell across" implies movement from one side to another, while "fell over" suggests a collapse or toppling. For example, someone might "fell across a chair", but "fell over when they tripped".