go across

USAGE SUMMARY

"go across" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is a phrase that generally means to traverse something in a physical sense, usually referring to a space. For example, you could say, "I need to go across town to pick up my dry cleaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Go across street," he said.

The New York Times

"Everything had to go across his desk.

The Guardian

Two ways to go across this one.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Two ways to go across this diamond.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Damages don't go across the board".

The Guardian

We want to go across the planet".

The Guardian - Music

"We had to go across Voronezhskaya Street.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, another line could still go across the canyon.

The New York Times

"She didn't let us go across town," Malva said.

The New York Times

"Once I go across I can't smoke in the open".

Independent

And how will the big historical classics go across?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement, consider whether "go across" accurately conveys the manner and purpose of crossing. "Traverse" might be more appropriate for a difficult journey, while "cross over" is suitable for a simple street crossing.

Common error

While "go across" is perfectly acceptable in everyday speech and writing, avoid it in highly formal documents where more precise or sophisticated language is expected. Consider using "traverse" or "intersect" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go across" functions primarily as a phrasal verb indicating movement or traversal. It describes the act of moving from one side of a physical space or boundary to another, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples like "Go across the street" and "go across the bridge."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go across" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe movement from one side of something to another. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and wiki sources. While it is generally suitable for neutral registers, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "traverse". Mastering the nuances of "go across" ensures clear and effective communication in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move across

A general term for changing location from one side to another.

cross over

Implies crossing a specific boundary or obstacle, such as a road or river.

proceed across

Implies a more deliberate or formal movement from one side to another.

pass over

Similar to "cross over", but can also imply overlooking or ignoring something.

travel over

Emphasizes the act of journeying or moving across a surface or area.

traverse

A more formal and concise way of saying "go across", often used to describe crossing a geographical feature.

extend across

Emphasizes the physical length or reach of something covering a distance.

span

Suggests the act of extending over or covering a distance, often used for bridges or other structures.

reach over

Suggests extending one's arm or body to access something on the other side of a boundary.

get across

Can mean to successfully communicate an idea, as well as physically crossing something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "go across" can be used to describe movement from one side of something to another. For example, "I need to "go across" the street to buy groceries" or "The bridge allows people to "go across" the river easily."

What are some alternatives to "go across"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "traverse", "cross over", or "pass over" instead of "go across".

Is it correct to say "going across" instead of "go across"?

Yes, "going across" is a valid verb form, often used in continuous tenses. For example, "She is "going across" the border now."

What is the difference between "go across" and "go over"?

"Go across" implies moving from one side to the other, while "go over" can mean to review something or physically move above something. For example, "Let's "go across" the bridge" versus "Let's go over the details again."