Definition

1. Preposition:

   • From one side to the other side of something: Indicates movement or location from one side of a space, surface, or line to the opposite side.
   • On the opposite side of: Indicates a position on the other side of a space, road, river, etc.

2. Adverb:

   • From one side to the other: Describes movement or extension over a distance to the other side.
   • In a position reaching from one side to the other: Describes something measured or existing side-to-side.

Usage and Examples

• As a Preposition:

  • We swam across the river. (We moved from one bank to the other.)
  • There's a bank just across the street. (The bank is on the other side of the street.)
  • A smile spread across her face. (The smile extended over the surface of her face.)

• As an Adverb:

  • The river is 50 meters wide. Can you swim across? (Can you swim from this side to the other?)
  • She reached across and took my hand. (She extended her arm from her side to mine.)
  • The football field was 300 feet across. (It measured 300 feet from one side to the other.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "across from": Directly opposite.

  • I sat across from her at the table. (I sat directly opposite her.)

• "across the board": Applying to all categories or members without exception.

  • The company announced a 5% pay raise across the board. (Every employee received the raise.)

• "come across" (phrasal verb): To find or meet by chance.

  • I came across an old photo while cleaning. (I found it unexpectedly.)

• "get across" (phrasal verb): To successfully communicate an idea or message.

  • It's hard to get the importance of safety across to new employees. (It's hard to make them understand it.)

Variants and Related Words

• Crosswise (adverb): In a direction from one side to another.

  • Cut the fabric crosswise. (Cut it from side to side.)

• Transversely (adverb): In a crosswise direction. (Formal/scientific synonym for the adverbial sense).

  • The marble slabs were cut across/transversely.

Synonyms

• Over: From one side to the other of (often used for surfaces or obstacles).
  • Jump over the puddle.
• Through: From one end or side to the other within something (implies being inside or amidst).
  • Walk through the tunnel.

Key Phrasal Verbs

• Run across: To meet or find someone or something by chance.
  • I ran across an old friend in town yesterday.
• Cut across:
  • To take a shorter route by going directly through an area.

    • We can cut across the park to save time.
  • To transcend or go beyond usual boundaries or categories.

    • The issue of climate change cuts across political divisions.

Common Idioms and Expressions

• Put it across someone (informal): To deceive or trick someone.
  • He tried to put it across me with a fake story, but I didn't believe him.
• Across the pond (informal): Refers to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean (usually between the UK and the US).
  • My cousin lives across the pond in London.

Adverb

1. transversely
   • the marble slabs were cut across
2. to the opposite side
   • the football field was 300 feet across