Cool MateCross vs They broke through our defences
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cross
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
They broke through our defences
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Cross
| Cross | They broke through our defences | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/krɒs/","/ˈkrɒsɪz/","/krɒst/","/ˈkrɒsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/krɔːs/","/ˈkrɔːsɪz/","/krɔːst/","/ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //breɪk θruː//🇺🇸 //breɪk θru// |
| Meaning | To go from one side to another. | They succeeded in getting past our protection. |
| Example | Please cross the street at the crosswalk. | The attackers broke through our defences during the night. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | quickly, slowly, safely, try to, from, into, over | break through a barrier, break through resistance, break through limitations |
| Antonyms | stay, remain, sidestep | - |
| 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 'break down', which means to stop functioning., Using 'break through' as a noun instead of a verb. |
| 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. | Used in contexts of overcoming obstacles or difficulties. Appropriate in both military and metaphorical situations. Can imply success after struggle. |
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Frequently asked questions: Cross vs They broke through our defences
What's the difference between Cross and They broke through our defences?
Cross: To go from one side to another. They broke through our defences: They succeeded in getting past our protection.
Which is more common: Cross and They broke through our defences?
Cross is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Cross: Please cross the street at the crosswalk. They broke through our defences: The attackers broke through our defences during the night.
Can I use Cross and They broke through our defences interchangeably?
Not always. Cross and They broke through our defences 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.