through the crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

"through the crowd" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to move or go from one side of a crowd to the other. Example: She made her way through the crowd, pushing past people to get to the stage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Evans wove through the crowd languorously.

The New York Times - Style

I shoved through the crowd.

The New York Times

Wary laughter rippled through the crowd.

The New Yorker

He was sneaking through the crowd.

The New Yorker

A frisson swept through the crowd.

The New Yorker

A buzz rolled through the crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

I squeeze carefully through the crowd.

The New Yorker

Rumors swept through the crowd.

The New York Times

Panic swept through the crowd.

The Washington Post

We cut through the crowd.

The New York Times

Finally his grandmother cut through the crowd.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "through the crowd" to vividly describe movement and navigation in crowded environments, creating a sense of immersion for the reader.

Common error

Avoid substituting "through the crowd" with similar phrases that don't accurately convey the action of moving from one side of a gathering to another. For example, "in the crowd" only implies being present, not necessarily moving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through the crowd" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner or direction of an action. It indicates movement or passage from one side of a gathering to another. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use and clear meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Huffington Post

7%

The New Yorker

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Los Angeles Times

2%

Unicef

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "through the crowd" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe movement across or within a gathering of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely employed, especially in news and media contexts, offering a vivid way to illustrate someone's or something's progression in a crowded scenario. While it maintains a neutral register, its usage can be adapted based on the specific context to which it is applied. Related alternatives include "amidst the throng" or "in the midst of the crowd", offering subtle variations in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately conveys movement from one side to the other of a group, avoiding confusion with static presence within a group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amidst the throng

Replaces "through" with "amidst" and "crowd" with "throng", suggesting a surrounding presence within a dense gathering.

in the midst of the crowd

Emphasizes being surrounded by the crowd, changing the focus from movement to location.

among the assembled people

Replaces "crowd" with "assembled people", creating a slightly more formal tone and highlighting the gathering aspect.

within the multitude

Uses "multitude" instead of "crowd", implying a larger, more indistinct group.

in the sea of faces

Metaphorically describes the crowd as a "sea of faces", focusing on the visual aspect of many people.

across the gathering

Focuses on moving across a gathering, implying a broader, more open space than a dense crowd.

between the masses

Highlights navigating a large group of people, using "masses" to convey a sense of scale and anonymity.

among the attendees

Replaces "crowd" with "attendees", suggesting a more organized or purposeful gathering.

in the assembly

Uses "assembly" for crowd which brings a sense of order and purpose compared to 'crowd'.

surrounded by people

Shifts the focus to being encircled by people, rather than moving through them.

FAQs

How can I use "through the crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "through the crowd" to describe movement, such as "She pushed "through the crowd" to get a better view" or "The sound echoed "through the crowd", creating a buzz of excitement."

What can I say instead of "through the crowd"?

You can use alternatives like "amidst the throng", "in the midst of the crowd", or "among the assembled people" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "through the crowds" instead of "through the crowd"?

While grammatically acceptable in certain contexts, "through the crowds" is less common. "Through the crowd" is generally preferred when referring to a single, collective group of people. "Through the crowds" could be used if referring to movement across multiple, distinct crowds.

What's the difference between "in the crowd" and "through the crowd"?

"In the crowd" implies being located within a group of people, whereas "through the crowd" suggests movement or passage from one side to another. For example, "He was lost in the crowd" versus "He navigated "through the crowd" to reach his friends."