traversing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "traversing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the verb "traverse" to mean "move or pass across or over", so you could use "traversing" in that context. For example: We hiked up the mountain, traversing several steep ravines.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Traversing the emotional and physical minefields of adolescent sexuality is a challenge for every young person.

The Guardian - Opinion

I don't get to walk through an open world, but here I think that's not such a hardship; the world's a vast desert, barren and bland, and traversing spaces in Wasteland 2 is a slow business.

The Guardian - Tech

When Mr Obama was traversing the state in mid-2007, McCainain was running out of cash and spending resources elsewhere.

The Economist

But traversing the Taiwan strait is proving a more difficult journey for the animals than crossing the Pacific.The offer of a pair of pandas was made during a tour of China at the end of April by Taiwan's opposition leader, Lien Chan.

The Economist

For all the reader knows, Mr Kaplan could be traversing a dried out, stretched out Belgium.Where Mr Kaplan is an unreconstructed Yankee, Mr Egan is a third-generation westerner.

The Economist

ON THE rare clear days in the Pacific north-west, snow-capped Mount Hood presents a spectacular sight to motorists traversing the Columbia river on the I-5.

The Economist

These shoes, bound pieces of denim with soft soles designed to leave no trace in the Arizona desert, have been lost or abandoned by illegal immigrants traversing Mr Chilton's 50,000-acre cattle ranch, which stretches to the Mexican border.

The Economist

For the past decade the American motor industry has been traversing a shift in manufacturing technology that requires fewer workers with more skills (see chart).

The Economist

Recently a tunnel was completed around a lake 14 miles (23km) long that had submerged a section of the Karakoram Highway traversing the two countries' border.

The Economist

Pirates have caused havoc among ships traversing vast parts of the Indian Ocean, as far east as the Seychelles and as far south as the Comoro islands.

The Economist

In fact planes stay firmly over Russian territory, traversing the top of the planet.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing journeys or passages, consider using "traversing" to add a sense of thoroughness or complexity to the movement. For example, "The article detailed the difficulties of "traversing" the complex political landscape."

Common error

Avoid using "traversing" when simpler words like "crossing" or "passing" would suffice. Using "traversing" in a very basic context can sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "traversing" is as a present participle or gerund form of the verb "traverse". It functions to describe an ongoing action of moving across or through something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "traversing" functions as a present participle or gerund, denoting movement across or through something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and versatile. Its use is common across diverse fields, including news, encyclopedias, and science. While "traversing" is generally more formal than alternatives like "crossing" or "passing", its nuanced meaning emphasizes complexity or extent, making it suitable for detailed descriptions of both physical and abstract journeys. Remember to use this word when you want to convey a sense of thoroughness or challenge in movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crossing

This indicates direct movement from one side to another.

navigating

Suggests a planned or skillful movement through a complex environment.

passing over

Implies a more superficial movement, not necessarily interacting deeply with what is being crossed.

moving through

Emphasizes the continuous movement within something.

journeying across

Suggests a longer, more deliberate trip.

traveling through

Similar to "moving through" but often used for broader geographical contexts.

spanning

Implies bridging or covering a distance or gap.

negotiating

Highlights the act of overcoming obstacles or challenges while moving.

ranging over

Suggests a wide scope or extensive coverage.

perambulating

A more formal or archaic term for walking through or around.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "traversing" in a sentence?

Use "traversing" to describe movement across or through something, especially when the path is complex or challenging. For example, "The hikers spent days "traversing" the mountain range."

What are some alternatives to using the word "traversing"?

You can use alternatives like "crossing", "navigating", or "passing over" depending on the specific context you're writing in.

Is "traversing" a formal word?

Yes, "traversing" is generally considered a more formal word compared to synonyms like "crossing" or "moving through". It's often used in academic, scientific, or news contexts.

What's the difference between "traversing" and "crossing"?

"Traversing" often implies a more complex or extensive journey than "crossing". While "crossing" suggests a direct movement from one side to another, "traversing" can involve moving through a larger area or a more complicated path.