stretching across

USAGE SUMMARY

"stretching across" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that extends or covers a large or lengthy area or distance. For example: - The bridge was built, stretching across the river, connecting the two towns. - The storm clouds were stretching across the entire sky. - The road was filled with colorful leaves, stretching across the countryside. - The finish line was in sight, stretching across the horizon. - The Great Wall of China is a monumental structure, stretching across thousands of miles.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Stretching across a wall, it resembles a statistical graph or an EKG readout.

The New York Times - Arts

The flat was dismal, tired, tiny, with technology in abundance and leads stretching across the floor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And the pace of the show, stretching across 2 hours 15 minutes, including intermission, rarely flags.

The New York Times - Arts

And my bad back got a workout stretching across to press down the manual door locks.

The New York Times

And, of course, with snow days stretching across the region, there were many happy awakenings.

The New York Times

Ahead, rearing up, huge bluffs appear, a vast, foreboding wall stretching across the landscape.

The Guardian - Travel

There is also a shot of a man's arm, probably Harvey's, stretching across the screen.

The New York Times

I also liked the payoff stretching across the center, PLAYING WITH FIRE.

The New York Times

Another lifts his T-shirt to reveal a scar stretching across his torso.

The Economist

But the telephone room has something the office does not: bundles of blue-and-white wires stretching across one wall.

The New York Times

During questioning, officials say, they described a well-organized network stretching across Southeast Asia and perhaps into Australia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stretching across", ensure that the subject clearly extends or spans a defined area or distance. For example: "The mountain range is stretching across the horizon."

Common error

Avoid using "stretching across" with a singular subject when referring to multiple disconnected instances. For example, instead of "Each road is stretching across the desert", use "Roads are stretching across the desert".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stretching across" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb. It describes the manner in which something extends or spans a particular area or distance, adding descriptive detail to the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stretching across" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that effectively describes something extending or spanning an area. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile use across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources. It's crucial to ensure subject-verb agreement and avoid misusing the phrase with incorrect articles to maintain clarity. Alternative phrasing options, such as "extending over" or "spanning over", offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles, from formal to informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extending over

Focuses on the act of extending, emphasizing the coverage of an area.

spanning over

Highlights the act of spanning, suggesting a connection or link across a space.

reaching across

Emphasizes the act of reaching, implying an effort or attempt to cover a distance.

covering

Suggests a comprehensive overlay or inclusion of the area.

spreading over

Implies a gradual expansion or distribution across the area.

going across

A more basic and literal way of expressing movement across a space.

lying across

Indicates something positioned horizontally across a surface.

running over

Similar to 'going across' but can also suggest a continuous feature.

passing across

Suggests something moving or being conveyed across an area.

overlaying

Focuses on the act of placing one thing over another, often implying partial coverage.

FAQs

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

The phrase "stretching across" is used to describe something that extends or spans a large area. For instance, "The bridge is stretching across the river" or "The shadows are stretching across the lawn".

What are some alternatives to "stretching across"?

Alternatives to "stretching across" include "extending over", "spanning over", or "reaching across", depending on the intended nuance.

Is it correct to say "stretching across the all area"?

No, the correct phrasing is "stretching across the entire area" or simply "stretching across the area". The word "all" is typically not used in this context.

What's the difference between "stretching across" and "covering"?

"Stretching across" implies a linear or directional extension, while "covering" suggests a broader, more complete overlay. For example, a road might be described as "stretching across" a plain, while a blanket might be described as "covering" a bed.