Across vs. Through: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 12, 2024
Across refers to moving from one side to the other over a surface, while Through implies movement from one end to another within something.
Key Differences
Across suggests a horizontal movement on or over the surface, usually in a straight line, indicating breadth. It implies moving from one side to another. Through, on the other hand, connotes a movement that goes inside and comes out the other end, involving depth. It implies penetration or passing into something and emerging out.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
When using Across, the focus is on the surface or expanse being crossed. It's often used for open spaces like fields or areas like rooms. Through implies a journey within a confined space, such as a tunnel or forest, where the starting and exit points are different.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Across can also mean reaching or spreading over an area, suggesting coverage. For example, a bridge goes across a river. In contrast, Through suggests a continuous route or passage from one point to another, often with obstacles or mediums in between, like a road going through mountains.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Across is used when referring to reading or scanning, indicating a horizontal or sweeping motion. For example, scanning across a page. Through in similar contexts implies a thorough or complete progression, as in reading through a document.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
In metaphorical use, Across can suggest overcoming a barrier or difference, like 'getting a point across.' Through metaphorically implies enduring or persisting over a period or through difficulties, like 'getting through tough times.'
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Type of Movement
Horizontal, over a surface
Inside to outside, within something
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Jan 12, 2024
Space/Environment
Open spaces, across surfaces
Confined spaces, through mediums
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Jan 12, 2024
Usage in Reading/Scanning
Scanning across, horizontal movement
Reading through, complete progression
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Jan 12, 2024
Metaphorical Use
Overcoming barriers, reaching across
Enduring, persisting through
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Jan 12, 2024
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Across and Through Definitions
Across
From one side to the other over a surface.
She walked across the bridge.
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Dec 17, 2023
Through
From one end or side to the other within something.
The train went through the tunnel.
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Dec 17, 2023
Across
In a position reaching from one side to the other.
He laid the book across his lap.
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Dec 17, 2023
Through
Continuing in time toward completion of a process or period.
She worked through the night.
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Dec 17, 2023
Across
Overcoming or bridging a gap or difference.
He got his message across during the meeting.
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Dec 17, 2023
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Through
In one side and out the opposite or another side of
Went through the tunnel.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Into and out of the handling, care, processing, modification, or consideration of
Her application went through our office. Run the figures through the computer.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
In such a manner as to be comprehensible, acceptable, or successful
Put our idea across.
Get a message across.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully
We are through the initial testing period.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
To, toward, or from the far side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
We rowed across the river.
Fortunately, there was a bridge across the river.
He came across the street to meet me.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Up to and including
A play that runs through December.
A volume that covers A through D.
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Across
On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
That store is across the street.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
Across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Because of; on account of
She succeeded through hard work. He declined the honor through modesty.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
From one side to the other within (a space being traversed).
The meteor streaked across the sky.
He walked across the room.
Could you slide that across the table to me, please?
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Through
From one end or side to another or an opposite end or side
Opened the door and went through.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Throughout the whole extent or thickness; thoroughly
Warmed the leftovers clear through.
Got soaked through in the rain.
A letter that was shot through with the writer's personality.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
Throughout.
All across the country, voters were communicating their representatives.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Over the total distance; all the way
Drove through to their final destination.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
So as to intersect or pass through or over at an angle.
Lay the top stick across the bottom one.
She had straps fastened across the conduit every six feet.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
From one side to the other.
She helped the blind man across;
The river is half a mile across
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Affording transportation to a destination with few or no stops and no transfers
A through bus.
A through ticket.
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Through
Continuing on a highway without exiting
Through traffic.
Through lanes.
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Through
Passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to another
A through beam.
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Across
A word that runs horizontally in the completed puzzle grid or its associated clue.
I solved all of the acrosses, but then got stuck on 3 down.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Having no further concern, dealings, or connection
I'm through with him.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
From side to side; athwart; crosswise, or in a direction opposed to the length; quite over; as, a bridge laid across a river.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Having no more use, value, or potential; washed-up
That swimmer is through as an athlete.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
Obliquely; athwart; amiss; awry.
The squint-eyed Pharisees look across at all the actions of Christ.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
From one side of an opening to the other.
I went through the window.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
Placed crosswise;
Spoken with a straight face but crossed fingers
Crossed forks
Seated with arms across
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Entering, then later leaving.
I drove through the town at top speed without looking left or right.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Through
Surrounded by (while moving).
We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
In such a manner as to be understood and accepted;
She cannot get her ideas across
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
Extending or reaching from one side to another.
The banner stretched across the street.
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Dec 17, 2023
Through
(North America) To (or up to) and including, with all intermediate values.
From 1945 through 1991;
The numbers 1 through 9;
Your membership is active through March 15, 2013
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Dec 13, 2023
Across
From one side to another within a certain area.
She scanned her eyes across the crowd.
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Dec 17, 2023
Through
Passing from one side of something to the other.
Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Finished; complete.
They were through with laying the subroof by noon.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Without a future; done for.
After being implicated in the scandal, he was through as an executive in financial services.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
No longer interested; wearied or turned off by experience.
She was through with him.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Proceeding from origin to destination without delay due to change of equipment.
The through flight through Memphis was the fastest.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
(association football) In possession of the ball beyond the last line of defence but not necessarily the goalkeeper; through on goal.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
From one side to the other by way of the interior.
The arrow went straight through.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
From one end to the other.
Others slept; he worked straight through.
She read the letter through.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Completely.
Leave the yarn in the dye overnight so the color soaks through.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
A large slab of stone laid in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
(obsolete) A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
From end to end of, or from side to side of; from one surface or limit of, to the opposite; into and out of at the opposite, or at another, point; as, to bore through a piece of timber, or through a board; a ball passes through the side of a ship.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Between the sides or walls of; within; as, to pass through a door; to go through an avenue.
Through the gate of ivory he dismissedHis valiant offspring.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
By means of; by the agency of.
Through these hands this science has passed with great applause.
Material things are presented only through their senses.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Over the whole surface or extent of; as, to ride through the country; to look through an account.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Among or in the midst of; - used to denote passage; as, a fish swims through the water; the light glimmers through a thicket.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
From the beginning to the end of; to the end or conclusion of; as, through life; through the year.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
To the end; to a conclusion; to the ultimate purpose; as, to carry a project through.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Going or extending through; going, extending, or serving from the beginning to the end; thorough; complete; as, a through line; a through ticket; a through train. Also, admitting of passage through; as, a through bridge.
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Having finished or arrived at completion;
Certain to make history before he's done
It's a done deed
After the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up
Almost through with his studies
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Of a route or journey etc.; continuing without requiring stops or changes;
A through street
A through bus
Through traffic
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Dec 13, 2023
Through
Throughout the entire extent;
Got soaked through in the rain
I'm frozen through
A letter shot through with the writer's personality
Knew him through and through
Boards rotten through and through
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Dec 13, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Does Across imply a long distance?
Not necessarily, it can refer to any distance from one side to the other.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Can Through imply a quick process?
Through can imply both quick and prolonged processes, depending on context.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Is Across used for linear movements only?
Mostly, but it can also suggest reaching or spreading over an area.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Can Across be used for vertical movements?
No, across typically refers to horizontal movements.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Can Through be used for emotional experiences?
Yes, it can metaphorically refer to enduring or going through experiences.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
What does Through mean?
Through means from one end to the other within something.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Is Through used for open spaces?
Not usually, through is more for movements within or between confined spaces.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Does Across always mean physically crossing something?
Not always, it can also be used metaphorically for communication or understanding.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Can Across be used in a non-physical sense?
Yes, like getting a point across in communication.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Can Through suggest directness in a process?
Yes, it often implies a direct or uninterrupted path.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
What does Across mean?
Across means from one side to another over a surface.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Can Across be used for scanning visually?
Yes, like scanning across a room or page.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
How does Across differ in communication?
It's about getting a message from one point to another.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Can Across refer to covering an area?
Yes, like a road going across a landscape.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Is Through used in contexts of thoroughness?
Yes, it can imply completeness, like reading through a document.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
How does Through relate to success?
It can suggest achieving something by going through a process or overcoming obstacles.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Is Through used in spatial navigation?
Yes, especially for directions within buildings or areas, like walking through a corridor.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Is Across suitable for describing depth?
No, across typically refers to breadth, not depth.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Is Through used for temporal experiences?
Yes, it can describe experiences over a period, like working through the night.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Does Through always involve an entry and exit?
Generally, yes, it implies entering and emerging from something.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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