while traversing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while traversing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action occurring simultaneously with the act of moving through or across something. Example: "While traversing the dense forest, we encountered various wildlife species."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're going to be here a while — traversing that wall that President Trump built between America and Canada seems extremely treacherous.

The New Yorker

While traversing these familiar sci-fi environments – futuristic cityscape, ice planet, rock planet, space station – parkour is mostly unnecessary.

The Guardian - Tech

Whatever it was, she would discourse upon it without divergence while traversing the leafy avenues of the Links.

The New Yorker

For most of that distance, they face the Gulf of California while traversing the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and Nayarit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In both cases, it appears that Chrysler and Aflac have kept this ethos intact even while traversing the sometimes confusing world of online marketing and social media.

The New York Times

While traversing the city is undoubtedly fun and many of the missions genuinely tense and scary there is a bit of the open world syndrome on display here.

Independent

The very day she got that advice, Ruth fell overboard while traversing rapids in the "Satan's Cesspool" section of the American River in California.

The New York Times

Last Saturday, for example, Michael Wile, a 14-year-old snowboarder from South Berwick, Me., hit a tree and died while traversing a green-tagged beginner's slope at Sunday River, Me.

The New York Times - Sports

For everyone who is delighted by the antics of the provocateur — Blondin, the funambule, cooked an omelette while traversing Niagara Falls — there is another person who finds him feckless or cavalier.

The New Yorker

The fixation with feet has persisted: in 2003, Dean made a film of Boots, a haunting, Molloy-like figure in a suit jacket, who recounts amorous memories while traversing, on two canes, an empty mansion.

The New Yorker

It quoted survivors as saying the vessel took in water coming from the bow ramp and listed before going under while traversing the area of Verde Island passage off Batangas Province south of Manila.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while traversing" to vividly describe actions happening concurrently with movement across a landscape, through a process, or within a system. It adds a sense of dynamism and simultaneity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "while traversing" in simple sentences where a more straightforward word like "crossing", "passing", or "moving" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while traversing" functions as a gerund phrase, modifying a verb to indicate an action happening simultaneously with movement. Ludwig examples show its use in describing physical movement across landscapes, systems, and abstract spaces. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while traversing" is a versatile phrase used to describe actions occurring during movement across a physical or abstract space. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and acceptable. Its frequency is high in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While grammatically sound, it is generally considered to be neutral to formal. Use it to add dynamism to your writing, but avoid overuse in contexts where simpler terms would suffice. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, attesting to its legitimacy in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during passage

Replaces the verb "traversing" with the noun "passage", focusing on the act of passing through.

during the transit of

Formal and emphasizes the act of being transported or moved.

during its course through

Emphasizes a specific route or path taken during the movement.

in the course of crossing

Emphasizes the act of crossing as an ongoing event, replacing "traversing" with a more descriptive phrase.

whilst journeying across

Employs "journeying" to suggest a longer or more significant trip.

in the process of navigating

Focuses on the act of directing movement, particularly through complex environments.

as one goes through

Uses a more informal and general term for movement, suitable for less formal contexts.

when passing over

Specifically indicates movement over a surface or obstacle.

on the way through

Simplifies the phrase to indicate movement from one point to another.

as it moved through

General and emphasizes movement, focusing on the action of moving in general

FAQs

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

Use "while traversing" to describe an action happening concurrently with the act of moving across or through something. For example, "While traversing the mountain pass, we spotted a herd of goats."

What are some alternatives to "while traversing"?

You can use alternatives like "during passage", "in the course of crossing", or "as one goes through" depending on the context.

Is "while traversing" formal or informal?

"While traversing" leans towards a more formal register. In informal contexts, phrases like "on the way through" or "as it moved through" might be more appropriate.

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

"While traversing" suggests a more deliberate and possibly challenging movement across an area, whereas "while crossing" is a more general term for going from one side to another. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.