range across

USAGE SUMMARY

"range across" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something passes through a broad selection of things or spans a wide area. For example, "The novel's characters range across the social classes of 19th century England."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This year's festival is nothing if not wide-ranging, with 10 shows that range across venues in 13 London boroughs.

The Guardian

Her sitters range across the ethnic spectrum.

The New York Times - Arts

Lows range across the 40s.

The Washington Post

The nominees range across the political spectrum.

The New York Times

There's a whole range across my desk.

The Guardian

The Snowdonia mountains range across the northern horizon.

The Guardian

They range across disciplines, grade levels, and technologies.

MIT Technology Review

Agricultural topics range across all types of farming.

Cornell University

Problems that range across ministries are therefore rarely solved.

The Economist

His observations range across weaponry, military training, literature, even video games.

The New York Times - Books

His generous sets tend to range across country and rock, from bluegrass to psychedelia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "range across" to effectively describe a diverse set of elements or characteristics that exist within a particular domain or category. For example: "The project's scope will "range across" multiple departments".

Common error

Avoid using "range across" when you simply mean "vary". While related, "range across" implies a comprehensive scope, whereas "vary" suggests differences without necessarily covering everything. Be precise about what you want to communicate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "range across" functions as a verb phrase indicating the extent or scope of something. It suggests a distribution or variation over a specified area or domain. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing diverse topics, geographical areas, and attitudes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "range across" is a versatile and commonly used expression that effectively conveys the breadth or scope of a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable in various writing contexts. Its frequent use in news, academic, and scientific domains suggests a relatively formal register. When using "range across", it is important to ensure it accurately reflects the intention to encompass a diverse set of elements within a defined area. Alternatives like "span over" or "extend through" can be considered to refine the nuance. Ludwig examples showed that this phrase appears in many different contexts from scientific to casual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

span over

Implies covering or extending over a particular duration, area or range.

variety across

Emphasizes the diversity present over a given scope.

extend through

Focuses on the act of reaching or stretching out across something.

array across

Highlights an ordered or structured arrangement spanning an area.

traverse through

Emphasizes moving or traveling across an entire area or scope.

assortment across

Stresses a collection of different things that exist over a space.

cover the breadth of

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the coverage.

interval across

Focuses on the distance between elements distributed over a region.

encompass the scope of

Indicates that something includes all aspects of the range.

area across

Highlights the physical extent covered.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "range across" in a sentence?

Use "range across" to indicate that something covers or includes a wide variety of items or topics. For example, "The conference topics "range across" diverse fields of science".

What are some alternatives to using "range across"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "span over", "extend through", or "cover the breadth of".

Is it appropriate to use "range across" in formal writing?

Yes, "range across" is suitable for formal writing. It is frequently used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts, as demonstrated by its presence in sources like The New York Times and academic journals.

What's the difference between ""range across"" and simply "vary"?

"Range across" implies a comprehensive scope, covering a wide spectrum. "Vary" suggests differences without necessarily covering everything. Use ""range across"" when you want to emphasize the breadth and diversity of what is included.