span across

USAGE SUMMARY

"span across" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It typically means to move or extend over a large area or range. For example: "The bridge spanned across the river, connecting the two sides of the valley".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The investigations span across the bank.

The New York Times

These "surfaces" can be tiny like the strings but they can also span across light-years.

The New York Times - Science

Although Mr. Breyer is perhaps best known for his investment in Facebook, his connections span across technology, entertainment and retail.

The New York Times

The Astoria-Megler Bridge, a spectacular span across the river to Washington, is rideable, I'm told, but terrifying.

The New York Times

We wanted the editorial offering to be informative, delightful and to span across multiple formats to showcase the breadth of the journalism we produce.

The Guardian

They said a greater distance would have required the span across the retractable roof to be longer and therefore cost significantly more.

The New York Times - Sports

These include applications that span across diverse categories such as news, business, games and entertainment [2].

Journal of Cloud Computing

The 34 injections compared span across 31 distinct oil samples that originate from 19 distinct sources.

Chemistry Central Journal

Meta-workflows engage complex orchestration of applications, which may span across multiple domains.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Eventually, says Google, the technology will span across its online document suite.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This wasn't just an Irish problem – it spanned across England, Greece, France and beyond.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "span across" when you want to emphasize the breadth or extent of something covering multiple areas or categories. For example, "The project will span across different departments within the company".

Common error

Be cautious not to use "span across" when a simpler verb like "cover" or "include" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose. For example, instead of "The curriculum spans across several key topics", consider using "The curriculum covers several key topics".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "span across" functions as a verb phrase indicating the extent or scope of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It denotes how something extends, connects, or has influence over a range or area, as showcased in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

57%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "span across" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the extent or reach of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in various contexts, especially in news and scientific publications. It's important to use it to emphasize breadth or coverage. While versatile, avoid redundancy by opting for simpler verbs when appropriate. Alternatives like "extend over" or "cover the range of" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. By understanding these subtle differences, you can ensure your writing is both precise and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend over

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical reach of something.

cover the range of

Highlights the breadth or scope of coverage.

reach across

Emphasizes the action of extending to connect separate entities.

traverse through

Suggests a journey or movement across something.

cross over

Indicates a transition or movement from one point to another.

encompass within

Implies inclusion or containment within a defined boundary.

permeate throughout

Suggests a widespread influence or penetration.

spread over

Highlights the dispersion or distribution across an area.

bridge the gap between

Focuses on connecting two distinct elements or ideas.

connect throughout

Emphasizes the act of linking different parts of a system or network.

FAQs

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

Use "span across" to indicate that something extends or covers a wide range or area. For example, "The company's influence "extends over" several countries".

What are some alternatives to "span across"?

You can use alternatives such as "extend over", "cover the range of", or "reach across" depending on the specific context.

Is "span across" formal or informal?

"Span across" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "span" and "span across"?

"Span" alone can refer to the length of something, or the act of extending. "Span across" specifically implies covering or extending over an area or range, adding a sense of distribution.