rolling across

USAGE SUMMARY

"rolling across" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the movement of an object or person in a rolling motion across a surface. Example: The ball came bouncing down the hill, rolling across the grassy field until it finally came to a stop at the edge of the pond.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In the second scene of "The Mist," we see mist rolling across a lake.

The New Yorker

He stared out at gray waves rolling across Peconic Bay, and then spoke: "It's like we are one person.

The New Yorker

Then there is the sky, occupying two-thirds of the painting, with clouds rolling across in a barking, turbulent dance.

The New York Times - Arts

Children watched a simulated multi-coloured ball rolling across a blue background (24° × 28°), with a 2.3° degree of visual angle.

Addiction

Rolling flux was computed by counting the number of cells rolling across the FOV (field of view) for a 1-min period.

Bioscience Reports

"They need to be rolling across".

The New York Times

Waves of dancers entered, rolling across the floor.

The New York Times - Arts

There were two shutdowns, actually, rolling across the government in close succession, like thunder storms.

University of California, Berkeley

TANKS rolling across borders, territory seized, defending troops put to flight.

The Economist

ACADEMIC enters — rolling across the stage in an office chair with a cup of coffee.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

If perfected, the new design should keep the next wave of robots--earthbound and planetary explorers alike--rolling across dunes at a good clip.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rolling across" to vividly describe the motion of round or cylindrical objects moving over a surface. For example, "The ball came bouncing down the hill, rolling across the grassy field."

Common error

Avoid using "rolling across" to describe movements that are not inherently rolling. For example, saying "The car was rolling across the highway" is acceptable, but "The shadow was rolling across the landscape" is incorrect; use "spreading" or "moving" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rolling across" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase, describing an ongoing action. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it modifies nouns, indicating the manner in which something moves.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rolling across" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that vividly describes motion in a rotational manner. Ludwig's analysis indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific publications. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. While it appears most often in news and media, scientific writing and academia also show substantial usage. When using "rolling across", it's important to ensure that the object's movement is actually a rolling motion to avoid misapplication. Alternative phrases like "moving over" or "spreading across" may be more appropriate in some contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moving over

Focuses on the general act of displacement rather than a specific type of movement like rolling.

spreading across

Implies a widening or expansion of something over an area, rather than a linear or rotational movement.

traversing

Suggests a more deliberate or challenging journey across something.

sweeping over

Implies a broad, continuous movement, often with a sense of force or impact.

gliding over

Suggests a smooth, effortless movement across a surface.

flowing over

Used to describe the movement of liquids or other fluid substances.

advancing through

Implies forward progress, often in a strategic or planned manner.

progressing across

Highlights the sequential or incremental nature of the movement.

streaming over

Describes a continuous flow of something, like data or people, across an area.

cascading down

Suggests a downward flow, often in a series of steps or stages.

FAQs

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

The phrase "rolling across" describes the movement of an object in a rolling motion over a surface. For example, "The tumbleweed was "rolling across" the desert floor."

What are some alternatives to "rolling across"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "moving over", "spreading across", or "sweeping over".

Is it correct to say "rolling across the street"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. It implies movement in a rolling manner from one side of the street to the other. For example, someone might push a cart "rolling across" the street.

What's the difference between "rolling across" and "rolling over"?

"Rolling across" implies movement from one point to another on a surface, while "rolling over" suggests a complete rotation or overturning. For instance, a ball is "rolling across" a field, but a car might be "rolling over" in an accident.