Accross Vs. Across, Which Is The Correct Spelling And Why?

English grammar and spelling can be complex, sometimes leaving us unsure about the correct way to write a word. Even if “across” is a word you are most likely familiar with, the different spelling rules can often be confusing.

The word’s correct spelling is a union of the prefix a – and the verb cross (to go through). A+cross = across. The word “across” comes from a particular verb, so any other form of writing is mistaken. The term “across” can be used as a preposition, adverb, or adjective.

Spelling properly is equally essential to speaking correctly in English. As English speakers or learners, it is pretty easy to forget how to spell a word correctly or not know how to detect a misspelled word. This article will discuss some fundamental facts regarding “accross” and “across.”

Origin Of The Word

The word “across” usually means ‘from one side to the other of a place or area.’ In the direction of or from the end of something between two points of interest. On the contrary, relative to something that lies between, from the point of interest.

The word originated from Middle English (1100-1500) acrosse, as an adverb meaning, ‘in the form of a cross.’ Its meaning goes back to the Old French a croix, en croix meaning ‘in the appearance of a cross, in a crossed placement, from one side to another. Borrowed from Anglo-French en croiz (from en “in,” “on”; back to Latin in – +croiz “cross,” back to Latin cruc-. crux); the term is similar to the Anglo-French croiz to cros. More recently, the term was considered as a+cross.

The first known uses of “across” were thought to have started being used around these periods.

• As an adjective in 1576: being in a crossed position.
• As a preposition in 1528: to intersect or pass through at an angle.
• As an adverb in the 13th century: in a position reaching from one side to the other.

How People Use The Word

We use the word “accross” as a preposition (prep), an adverb (adv), and an adjective (adj). The meaning of “across” is basically on the other side of something. Or from one side to another, which has sides or limits, such as a city, road, or river.

We use the different contexts of the word as follows:

• Across (prep)

Crossways, diagonally, crosswise, or in a direction against the distance. Entirely over: as a bridge laid across a river.

• Across (ad)

Crosswise; happening on the opposite side. On the other side: in a particular direction.

• Across (adj)

From side to side; placed crosswise: as with legs folded across from each other.

Examples Of The Phrase In A Sentence

We will divide the different uses to better understand what the word stands for in each scenario:

Preposition

1. The whole family took a ferry across the river to get to Staten Island.
2. Paul was walking across the street when I saw him wave at me.
3. The soldiers were chasing them until they ran across the border!
4. She wasn’t in the church this Sunday. – Yes, she was! She was sitting across the aisle to the left.
5. I would love for you to take me out across Death Valley when you have some time off.
6. We saw Susan twirling and dancing the best she had ever danced across the stage.
7. The multiplication tables were written across the board for the kids to keep practicing.
8. It was a thrilling but scary experience for me rowing across the river.
9. Fortunately, there was a bridge across the busy highway that we were able to walk through.
10. He traveled across the ocean on his latest expedition.

Adverb

1. The football field was 400 feet across.
2. Do you think you are the only one who lost his bonus? I suppose you might be wrong; the financial problems go all across the company.
3. He cannot get his ideas across.
4. They cut marble slabs across.
5. The teacher finally got the idea across the Geography class.
6. My neighbor came across to see me today because we were making too much noise at our gathering last night.
7. The street was so congested with cars and motorcycles that we could barely make it across in time.
8. The water creeks are small enough to jump across.
9. Across the airport boarding area was Ruth, impatiently waiting to hop on the plane.
10. There are so many buses on the road to walk across.

Adjective (across or cross)

1. Catherine sat with her arms across as she paid close attention to the speech.
2. It was a beautiful across pattern of supporting beams.
3. The company had to experience an across-the-board price increment over the last three months.
4. Ernest sat with his legs crossed all the time. It was one of his most noticeable habits.
5. Can you please cut the cardboard across like this so that the design will match what we have?
6. I prefer the skirt that has the crossed lines in the middle.
7. My pedicurist always recommends trimming toenails straight across using nail clippers.
8. She had a cross piece on her necklace.
9. Felix had his fingers crossed, hoping that he would see his wife very soon.

A rarely known but interesting usage in the UK of “across” is ‘to be familiar with’ or ‘to know what you need to know about it.

1. Robert, are you across the plan we have for tonight?
2. Professor James is a specialist in the European economy, and he’s across all the latest developments.
3. Did you come to last week’s meeting? – I’m afraid not. Okay, so you’re not across the new plan. Let me explain what we discussed in just five minutes.
4. George, I want to make sure you’re across the food for tomorrow. Remember, two of our guests are vegetarian.
5. Are you across all of our latest content?
6. She wasn’t really across with the party surprise event, but we managed to put her up to speed soon enough.
7. Jane was not across how badly her son was behaving in school; it was quite a shock to her.

Idioms And Phrases Using Across

• Across the board: is thought to be initially from horse racing in America, about a gamble of a monetary value on a horse to win, place, or expose.
• Fire a warning shot across someone’s bows: to do something to warn someone that you will take bold action if that person does not change their behavior.
• Run across: meet or find someone by chance.
• Put (yourself) across or get something across to clearly communicate your thoughts and opinions so that people understand them and realize what you are like as a person. To make something understood or appreciated.
• Come across as being perceived by others in a particular way or as a specific thing.
• Straight across: directly in front of.

Synonyms for Across

• Crosswise
• Athwart
• Beyond
• Cross
• Crossed
• Opposite
• Over
• Transversely

Other Incorrect Spelling

• Acros
• Accros

How To Brush Up On Your Spelling Proficiency

1. Focus on each word of your text carefully and read them out loud. Try not to flip over the page, as incorrect spelling is easily missed.
2. Use memory techniques to recall the right spelling of words.
3. Keep a dictionary at reach.
4. Use your computer’s spell checker.
5. Keep a list of commonly misspelled words.
6. Look over rectified papers for misspelled words.
7. Evaluate yourself with flashcards.

Takeaway

It is a common mistake for even native English speakers to confuse “accross” with “across” when spelling. Practicing the spelling of tricky words can help you in remembering the correct meanings and forms when you are writing.

We use the word “across” to refer to an open space through which the object is passing. “Accross” with double c does not exist. We hope you are now “across” how to write and use the word “across.”