flicker across

USAGE SUMMARY

"flicker across" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe the movement of something quick and fleeting, like a light, emotion, or thought. For example, "The thought of her flicked across his mind, then was gone again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Black and white images flicker across absorbed young faces as timeless stories unfold.

The Guardian

As the sun set, a summer storm was gathering, and Henry watched lightning flicker across the clouds.

The New Yorker

Shades of the "Happiness" cast seem to flicker across the frame until you can't quite be sure who is who.

The New York Times

Surely images of success flicker across them, wearing further on reserves of concentration that are already desperately low.

The Guardian - Sport

For pedestrians, Mr. Villareal has produced patterns of colored light spots that flicker across the gallery's storefront windows (Johnson).

The New York Times - Arts

If grass is not eaten in sufficient quantities, forest encroaches, and the inevitable dry-season fires that flicker across the savannahs and woodlands rage out of control.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

A look flickered across her face.

The New Yorker

Protests flickered across the west.

The Guardian

A naughty smile flickered across his face.

The New York Times - Style

Soon the details came flickering across the screen.

The New York Times - Sports

A thin smile finally flickers across his lips.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flicker across" to describe a quick, unstable, or intermittent movement or appearance, particularly of light, emotions, or fleeting thoughts.

Common error

Avoid using "flicker across" to describe a steady or continuous light source; use it only when the light is wavering or intermittent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flicker across" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the way light or a transient image or expression moves or appears over a surface or space. Ludwig confirms it as an acceptable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "flicker across" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe transient movements or appearances. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in diverse contexts, from describing light to emotions. As Ludwig AI correctly stated, its grammatical status is correct, and it's used across a range of registers, with a predominant presence in News & Media. When something "flickers across" something else, think of something unstable and temporary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blink across

Similar in conveying a quick, momentary appearance, but "blink" emphasizes the brevity even more.

spark across

"Spark across" suggests a sudden burst of something, often energy or light, moving across a surface.

beacon across

"Beacon across" implies a guiding or signaling light moving across a distance.

gleam across

"Gleam across" indicates a soft, reflected light briefly appearing on a surface.

light across

"Light across" is a more general term for illumination moving across something.

pass across

"Pass across" describes a movement from one side to the other, lacking the shimmering quality.

wink across

"Wink across" suggests a quick, playful flash of light or a brief expression.

ray across

"Ray across" denotes a beam of light extending across a space.

glow across

"Glow across" means a soft, diffused light spreading over an area.

glimpse across

"Glimpse across" describes a brief, partial view or observation.

FAQs

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

You can use "flicker across" to describe fleeting expressions, lights, or images. For example, "A smile "flickered across her face"" or "The candlelight "flickered across the room"".

What are some alternatives to "flicker across"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "flash across", "dance across", or "play across".

Is it correct to say "flickered across" or "flickering across"?

Both "flickered across" and "flickering across" are grammatically correct, but they have different usages. "Flickered across" is used in the past tense, while "flickering across" is used in continuous tenses.

What does "flicker across" imply about the movement?

"Flicker across" implies a brief, unsteady, and often intermittent movement or appearance, giving a sense of transience and impermanence.