across
across; to the other side
- From one side to the other (to the opposite side).
- Across crosses an area/surface; through goes inside a space/passage.
- It can be location (across the street) or movement (walk across the street).
Scene category
Controls
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Examples
Spatial examples
The cafe is across the street.
The bridge is across the river.
Dynamic examples
She ran across the street.
A bird flew across the sky.
Related prepositions
Key differences
Across shows crossing an area/surface from one side to the other, often reaching the opposite side.
Through goes inside a space/passage; across crosses an area/surface.
Along follows a line/edge; across cuts across to the other side.
Across from is opposite position. Across often uses an area/barrier (street/river) to cross.
Quick check questions (decision tree)
Is there clear motion or a path (walk/run/fly/roll/climb)?
Yes -> consider across; if it's static position only, use a spatial preposition.
What is the path relation: through, across, along, toward, into, onto?
If it is not this page's relation, switch to a closer option like through or along.
Is the sentence about reaching an endpoint (enter/land/arrive)?
Yes -> an endpoint preposition (into/onto/to) may fit better; No -> choose by the path itself.
Common collocations
To the other side
Verbs + across
Coverage
Common mistakes
Avoid: The train went across the tunnel.
Use: The train went through the tunnel.
Reason: A tunnel is an inside passage; use through, not across.
Avoid: They walked along the street to get to the other side.
Use: They walked across the street to get to the other side.
Reason: Across reaches the other side; along follows a line/edge.
Avoid: The cafe is across the bank.
Use: The cafe is across from the bank.
Reason: Across from expresses opposite position relative to an object.
Mini quiz
Question 1
Choose the correct preposition: She ran ___ the street.
Choose an answer
Question 2
Choose the correct preposition: A bird flew ___ the sky.
Choose an answer
Question 3
Choose the correct preposition: They walked ___ the bridge.
Choose an answer
Quick FAQ
What does "across" mean?+
Across means "from one side to the other" (to the opposite side). Example: She ran across the street.
What is the difference between "across" and "through"?+
Across crosses an area/surface (across the street). Through goes inside a space/passage (through the tunnel).
What is the difference between "across" and "along"?+
Along follows a line/edge (along the river). Across cuts across to the other side (across the river).
Can "across" be used for location (not movement)?+
Yes. It can describe position: The cafe is across the street. It can also describe movement: walk across the street.
Do I need "across from"?+
Use across from for opposite position relative to an object (across from the school). With a barrier/area, use across + the + noun (across the street).
What is the difference between "across" and "cross"?+
Cross is usually a verb (cross the street). Across is a preposition/adverb (walk across the street).
What are common collocations with "across"?+
across the street, across the bridge, across the river, across town, across the country, across the screen.
How can I remember "across" quickly?+
Think "A to the other side": start on one side, end on the opposite side.