traversed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traversed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of traveling across or through an area or space. Example: "The explorers traversed the dense forest in search of the hidden temple."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NOMAD MIGRATION ROUTE, MOROCCO For centuries members of the semi-nomadic Ait Atta tribe have traversed mountain paths south twice a year, from the High Atlas to their homeland in the Jebel Sahro, to find new pastures for their huge flocks of sheep and goats.

The Guardian - Travel

We followed the Nile on her 1,000-mile "s" bend across the Nubian desert, visiting isolated Meroitic pyramids and temples, where we were the only tourists; traversed hundreds of kilometres of wild desert; clambered on the abandoned Nile river cruisers at Atbara.

The Guardian - Travel

Wooden gates and archways framed major streets and denoted neighbourhoods in which locals traversed bustling lanes of commerce, visiting one of the countless temples that dotted the city.

The Guardian

But if it doesn't do anything on the revenue side of the budget, the savings needed pretty quickly move back into the "unfairness" territory traversed by its 2014 budget effort.

The Guardian

The floor is traversed by fissures and cracks, while sloping banks accommodate abrupt shifts in level.

The Guardian

A BP spokesman says: "The Ocensa pipeline project in Colombia involved significant steps being taken at the time of construction to engage with local communities, make appropriate compensation payments and ensure that the land that the pipeline traversed suffered no material damage.

The Guardian

Noyce traversed the length and breadth of the country, travelling to remote communities throughout Indigenous Australia.

The Guardian - Film

In one stretch, affected by gale-force winds 250 days of the year, the bullet train will pass through a concrete tunnel built to protect it.Of the three provinces traversed by the line, Xinjiang has the most reason to celebrate, its excitement evident in the building of a colossal airport-style bullet-train station just outside Urumqi, with a vast new development zone around it.

The Economist

The 34 vessels that traversed it last year shipped 820,000 tonnes of cargo; official Russian forecasts suggest that this year's figure will be 1.5m tonnes.

The Economist

While Ms Colbert Busch traversed the district in a blue bus with ELIZABETH MEANS BUSINESS painted on it, he flitted around in an ordinary SUV, often with just a driver.

The Economist

Most of the territory traversed by the G6, the northernmost of the options, is of little interest to Beijing gastronomes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical events or explorations, use "traversed" to add a sense of scale and thoroughness to the journey. For example, "The pioneers traversed the continent, establishing new settlements along the way."

Common error

Avoid using "traversed" when simpler words like "crossed" or "passed through" suffice. "Traversed" is best reserved for situations where the journey was extensive or challenging.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "traversed" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "traverse". It describes the action of moving across or through something. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "traversed", the past tense of "traverse", is used to describe the action of moving across or through something, often implying a thorough or extensive journey. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples pulled by Ludwig illustrate its common appearance in formal writing, especially in journalistic and scientific contexts, and its usage is deemed correct according to Ludwig. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where the journey warrants a more descriptive term than simpler alternatives like "crossed" or "passed through".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed through

Focuses on the act of going from one side to another, often implying a brief or transient presence.

crossed

Emphasizes the act of moving from one point to another, especially over an obstacle or boundary.

navigated

Highlights the skill or planning required to move through a complex or challenging environment.

journeyed across

Suggests a longer, more deliberate trip with a specific destination in mind.

traveled over

A more general term for moving across a surface or area.

roamed

Implies wandering or exploring an area without a specific destination.

covered

Focuses on the extent of the area that was traveled through, rather than the act of traveling itself.

perambulated

A more formal or archaic term for walking through an area.

transited

Indicates a passage through a place, often in a formal or technical context.

followed

Implies moving along a specific path or route.

FAQs

How can I use "traversed" in a sentence?

You can use "traversed" to describe the act of moving across or through an area. For example, "The expedition "traversed" the mountain range."

What's the difference between "traversed" and "crossed"?

"Traversed" often implies a more extensive or challenging journey than "crossed". You might say a hiker "crossed" a stream, but "traversed" a vast wilderness.

What can I say instead of "traversed"?

Alternatives to "traversed" include "passed through", "navigated", or "traveled across", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "traversed" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "traversed" is more suited for formal or descriptive writing. Simpler terms may be more appropriate for informal contexts.