stretched across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stretched across" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that spans over a distance or covers a large area. Example: The rainbow stretched across the sky, its vibrant colors captivating everyone's attention.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Ding's ambitions stretched across the ocean.

The Washington Post

And this sentiment stretched across ideological lines.

The New York Times

A broad grin stretched across his face.

The New York Times - Sports

A tie stretched across the chair, like a severed tendon.

The New Yorker

Long gashes of deep red stretched across the region.

The New York Times - Magazine

Clothes stretched across a green rope, drying in the sun.

The Washington Post

Stories are generally stretched across 10 to 16 weeks.

The Times

Is it the audience with grins stretched across their faces?

The Guardian

The debris of the plane stretched across dozens of miles.

The Washington Post

Prosciutto, duck ham and dried sausage stretched across a platter.

The New York Times - Magazine

At its opening, the queue stretched across the park.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stretched across" to vividly describe the spatial extent of something physical or abstract, such as "The shadow stretched across the lawn" or "The project stretched across multiple departments".

Common error

Avoid using "stretched across" when "extended to" or "applied to" is more appropriate for non-spatial extensions. For example, don't say "The rule stretched across all situations" if you mean "The rule applied to all situations".

Linguistic Context

Stretched across functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of extending or spanning over an area or duration. It depicts how something covers or occupies a space, physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stretched across" is a versatile and grammatically correct verb phrase widely used to describe the spatial or temporal extent of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, from news reporting and academic writing to casual conversation. The phrase's frequent occurrence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Washington Post underscores its reliability. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the idea of something extending over an area or period, and consider alternative phrases like "extended over" or "spanned across" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended over

Focuses more on the act of reaching or projecting over something.

spanned across

Emphasizes the bridging or covering of a distance.

reached over

Implies an action of extending to touch or cover something.

covered the area of

Highlights the total area affected or occupied.

spread over

Suggests a gradual expansion or distribution across a space.

ran along

Implies a linear extension or path.

went across

A simpler and more direct way of expressing movement or extension over a space.

lay over

Describes something positioned or placed across an area.

overlapped with

Implies that two things partially or wholly coincide or extend over each other.

suffused throughout

Indicates that something (like a feeling or color) pervades or spreads through something.

FAQs

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

Use "stretched across" to describe something that extends or spans a physical or metaphorical space. For example, "The banner "stretched across" the building", or "The debate "stretched across" several days".

What are some alternatives to "stretched across"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "extended over", "spanned across", or "reached over".

Is it correct to say "stretched over" instead of "stretched across"?

Both "stretched across" and "stretched over" can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Stretched across" implies spanning a width or area, while "stretched over" often implies covering something from above. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "stretched across" and "spread across"?

"Stretched across" implies a linear or direct extension, while "spread across" suggests a more diffuse or distributed coverage. For example, "The cloth "stretched across" the table" versus "The rumor spread across the town".