Cool MateCross vs Span
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cross
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Span
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Cross
| Cross | Span | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/krɒs/","/ˈkrɒsɪz/","/krɒst/","/ˈkrɒsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/krɔːs/","/ˈkrɔːsɪz/","/krɔːst/","/ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/spæn/","/spænz/","/spænd/","/ˈspænɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/spæn/","/spænz/","/spænd/","/ˈspænɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To go from one side to another. | To stretch across or cover an area. |
| Example | Please cross the street at the crosswalk. | His acting career spanned 55 years. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | quickly, slowly, safely, try to, from, into, over | span a distance, span a period of time, span generations, span across, span the globe |
| Antonyms | stay, remain, sidestep | contract, recede, shorten |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'cross' meaning angry., Using 'cross' without an object, e.g., 'I will cross' instead of 'I will cross the street.' | Confused with 'spend' in terms of time context., Used incorrectly in passive voice; 'spanned' should be used when something is already in the past., Misused in context; often used incorrectly as a synonym for 'cover' or 'contain'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'cross' when talking about moving across a space or area. It's appropriate in most contexts, but avoid using it in very formal writing. | Use 'span' to describe distance, duration, or extent. More common in technical or descriptive contexts. Avoid in very casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Cross vs Span
What's the difference between Cross and Span?
Cross: To go from one side to another. Span: To stretch across or cover an area.
Which is more common: Cross and Span?
Cross is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Cross and Span?
Span is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Cross and Span the same CEFR level?
Cross: A2, Span: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Cross and Span?
Cross: verb, Span: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Cross: Please cross the street at the crosswalk. Span: His acting career spanned 55 years.
Can I use Cross and Span interchangeably?
Not always. Cross and Span 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.