Throughout vs. Across — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 1, 2024
Throughout denotes being present or happening in every part, while across refers to moving from one side to another.
Difference Between Throughout and Across
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Throughout is used to signify presence or occurrence in every part or during the entire time of something. It implies coverage or extension over an entire area or period. For instance, mentioning "snow throughout the region" suggests snow is everywhere in that region. Across, however, indicates movement or extension from one side to the other of something. It conveys a sense of crossing or spanning, as in "walking across the bridge," which implies moving from one side of the bridge to the other.
When discussing time, "throughout" emphasizes duration, indicating that something happens continuously or at different times during a specified period. In contrast, "across" is less commonly used with time and more with physical or conceptual spaces, suggesting a breadth of coverage rather than temporal extension.
"Throughout" can also imply thoroughness or inclusion of all parts, as in "The study's findings were consistent throughout," suggesting uniformity or consistency in all parts of the study. On the other hand, "across" often suggests distribution or range within a certain space or among categories, as in "varying temperatures across the continent," indicating differences or variations within the geographical area.
In describing distribution or occurrence within a defined area or among a group, "throughout" is used to express a comprehensive spread, while "across" might highlight the extent of coverage or diversity, as in "across the spectrum," suggesting a range or variety.
The choice between "throughout" and "across" depends on whether the emphasis is on comprehensive presence (throughout) or movement, span, or distribution (across), making them useful for conveying different types of spatial or conceptual relationships.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
In every part or during the entire time of something
From one side to the other of something
Usage
Signifies coverage or extension over an entire area
Indicates movement or extension spanning an area
Common With
Time, space
Space, conceptual spans
Connotation
Thoroughness, presence throughout
Distribution, span, movement across
Examples
Throughout the year, throughout the building
Across the street, across the spectrum
Compare with Definitions
Throughout
During the entire time.
It rained throughout the night.
Across
Through different parts.
We traveled across three states in one day.
Throughout
Presence in every part.
The festival was celebrated with joy throughout the city.
Across
Referring to a cross-sectional view.
The study examines trends across age groups.
Throughout
Continuously over a period.
She worked tirelessly throughout her career.
Across
Spanning or covering an area.
The disease spread across several counties.
Throughout
In all parts of a place.
The new policy was implemented throughout the organization.
Across
Wide-ranging or diverse.
Opinions vary widely across the political spectrum.
Throughout
Thoroughness.
Quality was maintained throughout the production process.
Across
Movement from one side to another.
The children ran across the playground.
Throughout
In, to, through, or during every part of; all through
The road is kept open throughout the year.
Across
On, at, or from the other side of
Across the street.
Throughout
In or through all parts; everywhere
The material is flawed throughout.
Across
So as to cross; through
Drew lines across the paper.
Throughout
During the entire time or extent
Though unsure how her speech would be received, she remained calm and professional throughout.
Across
From one side of to the other
A bridge across a river.
Throughout
In every part of; all through.
Across
Into contact with
Came across my old roommate.
Throughout
(obsolete) Completely through, right the way through.
Across
From one side to the other
The footbridge swayed when I ran across.
Throughout
In every part; everywhere.
Across
On or to the opposite side
We came across by ferry.
Throughout
During an entire period of time, the whole time.
Across
Crosswise; crossed.
Throughout
Quite through; from one extremity to the other of; also, every part of; as, to search throughout the house.
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appearOf sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year.
Across
In such a manner as to be comprehensible, acceptable, or successful
Put our idea across.
Get a message across.
Throughout
In every part; as, the cloth was of a piece throughout.
Across
Being in a crossed position
Seated with arms across.
Throughout
From first to last;
The play was excellent end-to-end
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.
Throughout
Used to refer to cited works
Across
On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
That store is across the street.
Across
Across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).
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?
Across
At or near the far end of (a space).
Across
Spanning.
This poetry speaks across the centuries.
Across
Throughout.
All across the country, voters were communicating their representatives.
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.
Across
In possession of full, up-to-date information about; abreast of.
Across
From one side to the other.
She helped the blind man across;
The river is half a mile across
Across
On the other side.
If we sail off at noon, when will we be across?
Across
In a particular direction.
He leaned across for a book.
Across
(crosswords) Horizontally.
I got stuck on 4 across.
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.
Across
From side to side; athwart; crosswise, or in a direction opposed to the length; quite over; as, a bridge laid across a river.
Across
From side to side; crosswise; as, with arms folded across.
Across
Obliquely; athwart; amiss; awry.
The squint-eyed Pharisees look across at all the actions of Christ.
Across
Placed crosswise;
Spoken with a straight face but crossed fingers
Crossed forks
Seated with arms across
Across
To the opposite side;
The football field was 300 feet across
Across
In such a manner as to be understood and accepted;
She cannot get her ideas across
Across
Transversely;
The marble slabs were cut across
Common Curiosities
How is "across" used differently from "throughout"?
"Across" is used to indicate movement or extension from one side to the other, unlike "throughout," which denotes presence or occurrence everywhere within something.
What does "across" imply in a conceptual sense?
In a conceptual sense, "across" suggests a range or diversity within a conceptual space, such as "across the spectrum."
How does "throughout" emphasize time?
"Throughout" emphasizes duration, indicating continuous or repeated occurrences over a period.
Can "throughout" and "across" be used interchangeably?
They are not usually interchangeable as they convey different spatial or conceptual relationships.
Can "across" imply diversity?
Yes, "across" can imply diversity or a range, especially when referring to differences within a group or area.
How do you describe movement using "throughout"?
"Throughout" is less commonly used to describe physical movement and more for indicating presence or activity over an area or time.
What does "throughout" mean?
"Throughout" means being present or happening in every part or during the entire time of something.
Is "throughout" more comprehensive than "across"?
"Throughout" can imply more comprehensiveness within a space or time, while "across" emphasizes breadth or diversity.
Can "across" be used with time?
While less common, "across" can be used metaphorically with time to suggest a span, as in "across the ages."
Which is more appropriate for describing an action affecting every part of an area?
"Throughout" is more appropriate for actions affecting every part of an area comprehensively.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.