Through vs Across: Difference and Comparison

Prepositions are the words that describe – the direction, movement, or position of an object or person.

Through and Across are the most commonly used prepositions in the English language that are considered synonymous. They indicate the position, direction, and movement of an object or living being from one place to another.

Key Takeaways

1. “Through” is a preposition indicating movement from one end of something to the other, passing in between or inside, while “across” is a preposition indicating movement from one side of something to the other, covering the surface or area.
2. “Through” suggests a more in-depth or penetrative movement, such as going through a tunnel, while “across” implies movement over or on top of something, like walking across a bridge.
3. Both prepositions convey movement and direction but are used to describe different spatial relationships and pathways.

Through vs Across

The preposition “through” can be used as an adverb. It refers to transitioning from one side to the other, used in three-dimensional space. While “across” is used as a preposition as well as an adverb. It is used to describe how a person or thing moves transversely, used in two-dimensional space.

Across describes movement on a particular surface or a two-dimensional space. It is also used both as a preposition and an adverb.

Through is a preposition that indicates completion, and as an adverb, it is used as a comparative or superlative degree.

Examples:

1. I love walking through the forest.
2. The office is open Monday through Friday.
3. She opened coffee shops across the city, and they are very successful.
4. We took a boat across the river.

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Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	Through	Across
Character	It is used as both a preposition and an adverb. It is used to describe movement from one side to the other.	It is used as both a preposition and an adverb. It is used to describe the transverse movement of a person or object.
Usage of area	It is used in three-dimensional space.	It is used in two-dimensional space.
Special Usage	Through has a particular user regarding union with something long and thin.	Across has no such particular usage as through.
Sense	Through gives the sense of in.	Across gives a sense of on.
Easy way to remember	We use through if we move from one place to another or in something, like a tunnel, window, etc..	However, if the space opens in which the object is moving, we use the word across.

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When to Use the Word Through?

The word through can be used as a preposition and adverb. It is used in a three-dimensional space.

It is described as an inward movement.

We use through if we move from one place to another or in something, like a tunnel, window, etc. But there are limits on the top, bottom, sides, a crowd of people, etc.

The ways to use Through:

1. From beginning to end: The shopping mall will remain open from Tuesday through Sunday.
2. From one side to the other: Look outside through the window.
3. The train was running through the tunnel.
4. As a result, We lost the project to the carelessness of the employees.
5. Usage: Rani placed the order through the web portal.
6. Completion: The teacher is going through your homework.
7. Relationship: I am related to her through our uncles.
8. Way of spreading: I heard about your wedding through an acquaintanceship.
9. Going in/out of a process: To cure the disease, you must undergo treatment.

 

When to Use the Word Across?

The word can be used as both a preposition and an adverb. It is used to describe movement in a two-dimensional space.

It is described as an outward movement.

It is used to describe the transverse movement of a person or object. However, if the space opens in which the thing is moving, we use the word across.

It is used to explain the overall appearance where there is a straight path between two ends like the place, road, field, river, etc.

The ways to use Across:

1. Opposite side: The grocery shop is across the road.
2. We shall take a boat across the river from one point to the other.
3. Finding: By chance, I came across your Japanese article.
4. Other: The kid has drawn several lines across the wall.
5. All over: She has opened bookstores across the state to help the poor.
6. Other: My dog is happily running across the garden.

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Main Differences Between Through and Across

1. Through is used for three-dimensional space, whereas across is used for two-dimensional space.
2. Through is used to describe inward movement. It is used to describe the action from one side to the other. Across is used to describe outward movement. It is used to describe the transverse movement of a person or object.
3. Through has a particular user when it comes to union with something long and thin. But across has no particular usage like through.
4. Through this, we move from one place to another or in something, like a tunnel, window, etc., we use through. Across if the space is open in which the object is moving, we use the word across.
5. Through cannot be used in measurement and orientation terms but across is widely used to associate these terms.

References

1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/through
2. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/across