What is across? Pronunciation and usage in English

across means . Learn how to pronounce and use across through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of across

acrosspreposition

/əˈkrɒs/
Definition & pronunciation of across

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "across" in English. There are a few common pronunciations, and they're largely regional. Here's a breakdown of the most frequent ways:

1. The Most Common (General American) Pronunciation:

  • ˈkræ.s.əs (This is likely what you'll hear in most of the US)
    • ˈkræ: "kræ" – This is like the "crash" sound, but with a slightly more open "a" sound. It’s not quite as sharp as in "crash."
    • s: "s" - A regular "s" sound.
    • əs: "əs" – This is a tricky part! It’s a reduced vowel sound. It's almost like the "s" is swallowed and the "a" is very short. Think of it as sounding a little like "uh-cross." It's often barely perceptible.

2. The British Pronunciation:

  • ˈkɹæ.s.əs (Note the "ɹ" - this is the "r" sound in British English)
    • ˈkɹæ: Similar to above, but with a more distinct "r" sound at the beginning.
    • s: "s"
    • əs: Same reduced vowel sound as above.

Tips to help you:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable ("kræ").
  • The "s" sound: Don’t overemphasize the "s." It's a subtle sound.
  • The "əs" part: This is the hardest part for many learners. Practice saying "uh-cross" very quickly, and you'll start to get the feel of the reduced vowel.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you learning English? (e.g., US, UK, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word across in English

Let's break down how to use the word "across" in English. It's a really versatile word with multiple meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Direction/Movement – Moving from One Side to the Other

  • Most Common Meaning: This is the most frequent usage. It describes moving from one side to the opposite side.
    • Example: "Walk across the street." (Moving from one side of the street to the other)
    • Example: "She sailed across the lake." (Moving from one side of the lake to the other)
    • Example: “He ran across the field.” (Moving from one side of the field to the other)

2. Across (Relating to a Distance or Area)

  • Covering an Area: "Across" can indicate extent or completeness.

    • Example: "The rain fell across the valley." (Covering the entire valley)
    • Example: “The advertisement spread across the magazine.” (Covering the page)
    • Example: “He looked across the room.” (Referring to the whole room, not just a small section)

  • Spanning: It can show something goes from one side to the other.

    • Example: "A bridge across the river." (Spanning the river)
    • Example: "A fence across the garden." (Running horizontally across the garden)

3. Across (Communication/Information)

  • Communicating to or About:

    • Example: "I sent an email across to my boss." (Communicating to the boss)
    • Example: "He told me everything across the dinner table." (Sharing information with me)
    • Example: "She explained it across to the students." (Teaching/explaining to the students)

  • Referring to something communicated:

    • Example: "Let's look across the board at the results.” (Referring to the overall results)

4. Across (Time – Often in a Sequence)

  • In Succession:
    • Example: “He delivered his speech across three days.” (Over the course of three days)
    • Example: "They travelled across Europe in a month." (During that month)

5. Idiomatic Expressions with "Across"

  • “Across the street”: Usually referring to a street directly in front of you.
  • “Across the board”: Means completely or universally – affecting everyone. (Example: “Salary raises were granted across the board.”)
  • “Come across”: To encounter someone or something unexpectedly. (Example: "I just came across an old friend.")
  • “Get across”: To be understood. (Example: "I tried to explain, but he didn't get across the point.")

Key Points to Remember:

  • Prepositions: “Across” is most often used as a preposition.
  • Context is Key: The precise meaning of “across” will depend on the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the specific meaning, synonyms might include "over," "through," "about," "to," “among,” or "from one side to the other."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in? (e.g., writing, speaking, a specific subject like geography?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word across

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