wander across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wander across" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could write, "We decided to wander across the meadow, enjoying the fresh breeze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The idea is to rewild the areas by connecting existing reserves with tracts of abandoned land and working farms whose owners can be persuaded to let a herd of aurochs (or tauroses) wander across their property.

The New Yorker

Slowly a group of clowns wander across the square.

The Guardian

The potential for abuse is simply too great when judges wander across national borders".

The New York Times - Books

Florida panthers used to wander across the traffic lanes of Alligator Alley.

The New Yorker

Thus do we wander across the ethical wasteland of the west's wars of intervention.

The Guardian - Opinion

So we wander across the road to an anonymous sushi bar.

The Guardian

Turkeys, francolins, California quail, pigs and even feral cows wander across our path as we near the refuge.

The New York Times

For 10 minutes we wander across empty, grassy sand dunes wondering if we've got the right place.

The Guardian - Travel

Deer sometimes wander across the yard in the morning when I'm sitting on my porch having a coffee".

The Guardian - Music

His failures build into rage against the itinerant bands of aborigines who wander across his property following their ancestral routes.

The New York Times - Books

We wander across to Parramatta Park, an 85-hectare, national-heritage-listed expanse with playgrounds, formal gardens and cycling tracks.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wander across" to describe a casual, unhurried movement across a space, especially when implying exploration or lack of a strict destination. For example: "They decided to "wander across" the park, enjoying the sunshine."

Common error

Avoid using "wander across" when a more directed verb like "walk", "cross", or "traverse" would be more appropriate. "Wander across" implies aimless movement, so it's unsuitable for situations where someone is moving with a specific purpose or destination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wander across" functions as a verb phrase, indicating movement without a specific destination. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in describing casual, exploratory movement, as seen in examples like "deer sometimes "wander across" the yard".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wander across" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes moving without a specific destination. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, travel writing, and scientific descriptions. While generally neutral in register, "wander across" implies a relaxed, unhurried movement, suggesting exploration or a lack of urgency. Alternative phrases like "stroll over" or "meander through" offer subtle variations in meaning, while more formal options like "traverse across" exist for more deliberate or purposeful movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

walk about

A simple alternative, suggesting a casual and undirected walk.

stroll over

Suggests a leisurely and casual movement, implying a shorter distance.

meander through

Implies a winding and unhurried path, often through a scenic area.

amble around

Similar to stroll, but often suggesting a more relaxed and unhurried pace.

roam around

Conveys a sense of aimless wandering, lacking a specific destination.

saunter through

Suggests a stylish and leisurely walk, often with a hint of nonchalance.

traverse over

Indicates a more formal and purposeful journey across a surface or area.

drift through

Suggests a passive and gentle movement, often influenced by external forces.

pass over

Implies a simple act of crossing, often without lingering or exploring.

march across

Implies a forceful and purposeful movement, often in a military or organized context.

FAQs

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

You can use "wander across" to describe someone moving without a specific destination, like "The tourists decided to "stroll across" the old town square, admiring the architecture".

What does "wander across" imply?

"Wander across" suggests a relaxed, unhurried movement. It implies a lack of specific purpose or direction, often associated with exploring or enjoying the surroundings.

Are there formal alternatives to "wander across"?

While "wander across" is suitable for most general contexts, more formal alternatives include phrases like "traverse across" or "move across", which suggest a more deliberate or purposeful movement.

Is it correct to say "wander over" instead of "wander across"?

While "stroll over" is grammatically correct, it suggests moving to a specific point or object. "Wander across" implies movement over a larger area without a fixed endpoint. Therefore, they aren't always interchangeable.