traverse

USAGE SUMMARY

"traverse" is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It is generally used as a transitive verb meaning to pass or move over, through, or across (something). For example, "After a long day of hiking, the adventurers had to traverse a treacherous mountain pass before finally reaching their destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As you traverse the town, new vistas constantly come at you, with amazing combinations of architecture and beach.

The Guardian - Travel

Clegg managed to traverse a treetop rope bridge in what appeared to be a pair of mid-range navy chinos.

The Guardian

The petrol-share costs had been €375 – making this by far the cheapest way to traverse Europe.

The Guardian - Travel

A road sign on the nearby highway, the main artery connecting Baghdad to Kirkuk in the north, declares, with misplaced confidence, distances that cannot be measured in kilometres any more, but instead by how many men will die trying to traverse them.

The Guardian

Its navigable rivers do not traverse the heart of the country like America's Mississippi but veer off into the Amazon rainforest.

The Economist

This August the Xue Long (the name means Snow Dragon), the world's largest non-nuclear-powered icebreaker, became the first Chinese vessel to traverse the northern route.Of all Asian countries eyeing the Arctic, it is inevitably China that provokes the most interest and, in some quarters, alarm, for many reasons.

The Economist

Virtual private networks (VPNs) traverse the public internet like guarded convoys.

The Economist

Around 70m people in Laos and beyond depend on Mekong fish.Mega First wants to build a "fish pass" to deal with migration a non-starter, say opponents, given the huge number of fish that traverse the area.

The Economist

The AVEs and the motorways may have shrunk Spain from a vast country that only a generation ago took days to traverse.

The Economist

They could be used in different types of chemical plants, in nuclear-power stations and, with satellite links to retrieve the data, on pipelines that traverse remote and hostile places.

The Economist

In 40 years, a people could traverse the desert and reach the promised land; but they could also forget old lessons and stray from the path.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about difficult journeys or explorations, use "traverse" to convey a sense of challenge and thoroughness.

Common error

Avoid using "traverse" when simpler words like "cross" or "go through" would suffice; reserve it for situations involving difficulty or complexity.

Linguistic Context

The word "traverse" functions primarily as a transitive verb, indicating the act of passing or moving across something. Ludwig examples show it used to describe physical journeys, metaphorical passages, and technical processes. The Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "traverse" is a versatile word primarily used as a transitive verb to describe the act of moving across or through something, often implying difficulty or complexity. As Ludwig examples show, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage. While generally considered grammatically correct, it is best reserved for situations where its specific connotation is most appropriate, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts. Alternatives like "cross" or "travel across" may be more suitable in casual writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cross

A more general term indicating movement from one side to another.

travel across

Emphasizes the act of traveling with a specific direction.

navigate

Suggests careful guidance and skill in moving through an area.

pass through

Focuses on the act of going from one point to another through something.

move over

A more direct way to describe shifting from one side of something to another.

go across

A simple, common way to describe movement to the opposite side.

span

Implies covering the entire distance or area of something.

journey through

Highlights the experience of traveling through a place.

explore

Emphasizes discovery and thorough investigation during movement.

intersect

Describes the point where two things cross each other.

FAQs

How can I use "traverse" in a sentence?

You can use "traverse" to describe moving across or through a specific area, as in "The hikers had to traverse the mountain pass".

What are some alternatives to using "traverse"?

You can use alternatives like "cross", "travel across", or "navigate" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "traverse" and "cross"?

"Traverse" often implies a more difficult or complex journey, while "cross" is a more general term for moving from one side to another.

Is "traverse" appropriate for informal writing?

While "traverse" isn't overly formal, simpler words might be preferred in casual writing. Reserve "traverse" for contexts where its specific connotation is desired.