Cool MateAcross vs Throughout
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Across
Top 1,000 (very common)A1preposition
Throughout
Top 2,000 (common)B1
Most common: Across
| Across | Throughout | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkrɒs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkrɔːs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/θruːˈaʊt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/θruːˈaʊt/"]/ |
| Meaning | From one side to the other side. | In every part or all the time during a period. |
| Example | We walked across the bridge to get to the other side. | They export their products to markets throughout the world. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | preposition | |
| Collocations | walk across, run across, look across, spread across, travel across | throughout the year, throughout history, throughout the country, throughout the event |
| Antonyms | behind, away, close | briefly, intermittently |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'on' for location., Using 'across' without an object., Mixing up 'across' and 'through'. | Using 'throughout' when 'through' or 'during' is more appropriate., Confusing 'throughout' with 'all through' which can sound informal., Omitting the noun that follows 'throughout' leading to incomplete sentences. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe movement from one side to another. It's appropriate in both written and spoken contexts. Avoid using 'across' in very formal writing where other prepositions may be preferred. | Use 'throughout' to indicate that something happens or exists in every part of a time frame or area. It's appropriate for both written and spoken contexts, but avoid it in very casual communication where simpler alternatives are preferred. |
Frequently asked questions: Across vs Throughout
What's the difference between Across and Throughout?
Across: From one side to the other side. Throughout: In every part or all the time during a period.
Which is more common: Across and Throughout?
Across is the most common in everyday English.
Are Across and Throughout the same CEFR level?
Across: A1, Throughout: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Across and Throughout interchangeably?
Not always. Across and Throughout are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.