get across to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get across to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express the idea of communicating a message or idea to someone else, conveying understanding and comprehension. Example: I had difficulty getting my point across to Jane during our conversation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's kind of hard to get across to you what that means.

The New Yorker

During the next months, dozens of Norwegians helped Baalsrud get across to Sweden.

The New York Times

The zombie is a dead person who cannot get across to lan guinée.

The New York Times

Later, he can't get across to his wife a sensation he had while driving home.

The New Yorker

But that is not the only message he must get across to investors.

The New York Times

So that's what I'm trying to get across to the blacks".

The New York Times

This is a key point that the banks are keen to get across to the politicians.

The Guardian - Business

That's what I can't get across to people in the news.

The New York Times

I think that's the key bit that we try to get across to them".

The Guardian

"You just cant get across to them," he said, meaning political commentators, "there's lots of bunny rabbits that run through.

The New York Times

"My role is to get across to the public the urgency of what needs to be done.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using "get across to". Tailor your language and examples to ensure they resonate with your intended recipients.

Common error

While "get across to" is a useful phrase, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "communicate", "convey", or "explain" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get across to" functions as a phrasal verb, where 'get' is combined with 'across' and 'to' to create a new meaning. It is used to express the act of successfully communicating or conveying a message or idea to someone. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get across to" is a common and correct way to express the act of successfully communicating a message or idea to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples of its use in real-world contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, with a neutral register making it suitable for various situations. While there are alternative ways to express this concept, such as using "communicate to" or "convey to", understanding the nuances of each can enhance your writing. Avoid overusing the phrase to maintain reader engagement and always ensure your message is clear to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get through to

Implies overcoming a barrier to communication, finally reaching someone who was previously unreceptive.

make clear to

Highlights the act of ensuring something is easily understood and leaves no room for ambiguity.

communicate to

Focuses more directly on the act of transmitting information, implying a clear and direct conveyance.

convey to

Emphasizes the act of transporting a message or feeling, often with a nuance of careful delivery.

impart to

Suggests a more formal or educational transmission of knowledge or information.

explain to

Highlights the clarification aspect of making something understandable.

demonstrate to

Focuses on showing or proving something through action or evidence, rather than just telling.

express to

Prioritizes the outward manifestation of thoughts or feelings, making them known to someone.

disclose to

Implies revealing something previously unknown or private.

get over to

Although similar, this has a more physical meaning, or might be used to describe moving yourself to a location

FAQs

How can I use "get across to" in a sentence?

You can use "get across to" to indicate that you are communicating or conveying a message to someone. For example, "I'm trying to get across to them the importance of this project."

What does "get across to" mean?

"Get across to" means to successfully communicate or convey an idea, message, or feeling to someone so that they understand it.

What are some alternatives to "get across to"?

Alternatives include "communicate to", "convey to", or "explain to", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "get through to" or "get across to"?

"Get through to" implies overcoming a barrier to communication, while "get across to" simply means to communicate effectively. Use "get through to" when you need to emphasize the difficulty in reaching someone.