put across

USAGE SUMMARY

"put across" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that you are conveying a message to someone in a certain manner. Example: I'm trying to put across how much I appreciate your help.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That was a view put across by many survey respondents.

The Guardian

It is all put across with considerable proficiency.

The Guardian

The four actors use virtually no dialogue but somehow put across quite a lot.

The New York Times

As a songwriter he can put across something that's very simple but heartfelt.

The Guardian - Music

I noticed how much Ebert could put across in a limited space.

The New Yorker

"Hart's working hard and being clever to put across, I think, a very hateful point.

The New Yorker

Any XI that we put across is a very, very strong XI.

Independent

When asked to name one thing he hoped to put across, Mr. Pilati said, emphatically, "Color".

The New York Times

It's how we put across to everyone how much we care about English cricket.

Independent

That's something that's very important for me to put across to the younger generation," he added.

Independent

It put across a strong physical attitude, not merely a tough-girl snarl.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put across" when you want to emphasize the manner in which something is communicated, not just the content itself. For example, "He managed to "put across" his vision with passion and clarity".

Common error

Avoid using "put across" when a more direct verb like "say" or "state" would suffice. "Put across" implies a deliberate effort to convey a particular impression or understanding, so reserve it for situations where this nuance is important.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "put across" is a phrasal verb used transitively. It signifies the action of effectively communicating or conveying a message, idea, or feeling to someone, as seen in Ludwig's examples. The success of the communication is emphasized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Put across" is a commonly used phrasal verb that means to communicate something effectively. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing, showing it is frequently employed across various contexts such as news, science, and business. While its formality is neutral, it's crucial to use it when emphasizing the manner in which something is communicated, rather than opting for simpler verbs when the nuance isn't required. Alternatives like "communicate effectively" or "convey clearly" offer similar meanings, each highlighting different aspects of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the message across

Focuses on achieving successful communication of a specific message.

communicate effectively

Focuses on the successful transmission of information, emphasizing clarity and impact.

convey clearly

Highlights the clarity and directness of the message being delivered.

articulate well

Emphasizes the speaker's ability to express themselves fluently and coherently.

express comprehensibly

Stresses that the message is easily understood by the audience.

make understandable

Highlights the act of transforming complex ideas into simpler, more accessible forms.

present lucidly

Emphasizes the clarity and transparency of the presentation.

explain thoroughly

Suggests a detailed and comprehensive explanation is provided.

disseminate information

Focuses on the wide distribution of knowledge or facts.

transmit effectively

Highlights the efficient transfer of information from one source to another.

FAQs

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

You can use "put across" to indicate the act of conveying a message or idea effectively. For example, "The speaker was able to "put across" complex ideas in a simple manner".

What does "put across" mean?

"Put across" means to communicate an idea, feeling, or intention in a way that is easily understood.

What are some phrases similar to "put across"?

Similar phrases include "communicate effectively", "convey clearly", or "get the message across". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of communication.

How formal is the phrase "put across"?

The phrase "put across" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might prefer more elaborate vocabulary.