torn across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "torn across" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been ripped or damaged in a way that extends across a surface or object. Example: "The letter was old and fragile, with the edges torn across, making it difficult to read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The world's biggest cocoa producer, Côte d'Ivoire is torn across the middle and increasingly lawless everywhere.

The Economist

David Blunkett spoke of a "tsunami" that had torn across Scotland as the SNP took all but one of Labour's 41 seats.

The Guardian

The violence that has torn across Kenya since the disputed presidential election last Sunday has reached some of the nation's top athletes.

The New York Times - Sports

And suddenly there it was, illuminated by the flashing orange lights from his boat: a 53-foot fishing vessel listing perilously and quickly taking water from a large hole torn across its hull.

The New York Times

The cover had a bright yellow background; a few coverlines placed on punk-style tiny badges; and a sidelong shot of a girl fully clothed, torn across the middle so you could see the side of her bare backside.

The Guardian

Beneath bruised purple dusks and swirling grey dawns, he had hitched, hopped trains and buses, and torn across what he called the Promised Land in a succession of beat-up cars, "balling the jack" in sleep-deprived pursuit of some kind of self-discovery.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The pan is a dry lake bed that has just the right properties to support a near eight-tonne, rocket-cum-jet car tearing across its surface at speeds that exceed that of a handgun bullet.

BBC

In the pages of Green Lantern, the intergalactic threat Mongul is tearing across the galaxy, razing entire civilizations and setting his sights on the destruction of the Green Lantern Corps.

Huffington Post

You tear across the stage".

The New Yorker

Suddenly we were tearing across the desert.

The New York Times - Travel

So, Longwinded lady took back her dollar bill and tore across Broadway.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "torn across" to describe physical damage extending across a surface, or to metaphorically describe something that affects a wide area or range.

Common error

Avoid using "torn across" in purely abstract contexts where a more suitable verb like "affected" or "impacted" would be more precise. "Torn across" implies a destructive force or division.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "torn across" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a forceful separation or division that extends over an area or object. As Ludwig explains, it describes something ripped or damaged extending across a surface.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "torn across" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression, as supported by Ludwig's analysis. Primarily used in news and media contexts, it effectively describes a forceful separation or division extending over an area or object. The phrase carries a neutral to formal register and is best used to depict impactful, often negative, events or damages. When considering alternatives, ensure the replacement maintains the sense of extensive damage or division that "torn across" conveys. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and provides diverse real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ripped through

Focuses on the act of violently tearing something, emphasizing the force and speed.

split open

Emphasizes the result of being torn, highlighting the separation into parts.

cut through

Implies a cleaner, more defined separation than "torn across".

divided across

Emphasizes the separation or partitioning of something over an area.

swept through

Suggests a rapid movement affecting a wide area rather than physical damage.

raced across

Emphasizes speed of movement across a surface.

stretched across

Highlights the extension or reach over an area.

extended over

Similar to "stretched across", but may imply a more gradual coverage.

reached over

Suggests a connection or influence spanning an area.

spread across

Implies a more diffuse or gradual distribution over an area.

FAQs

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

You can use "torn across" to describe physical damage, such as "The flag was "torn across" the middle", or metaphorically, like "The scandal "torn across" the political landscape".

What are some alternatives to "torn across"?

Alternatives to "torn across" include "ripped through", "split open", or "cut through" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "ripped across" instead of "torn across"?

While "torn" is the past participle of "tear", making "torn across" technically correct, "ripped across" can also be used, though it might sound slightly less formal. Both describe the act of something being violently separated.

What's the difference between "torn across" and "affected by"?

"Torn across" implies a more violent, destructive, or divisive impact than "affected by". "Affected by" is a more general term for influence or impact, while "torn across" suggests something has been severely damaged or divided.