Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'across' for flat surfaces and 'through' for three-dimensional spaces or volumes.
- Use 'across' for 2D surfaces like roads or bridges: 'I ran across the street.'
- Use 'through' for 3D spaces like tunnels or forests: 'I walked through the woods.'
- Use 'across' for the other side: 'He lives across the river.'
Overview
across 和 through 这两个词，在中文里，我们通常都会把它们翻译成“穿过”或“经过”。比如，“穿过马路”和“穿过森林”，在中文里动词是一样的。但在英语的逻辑里，这两个词代表了完全不同的空间感和视角。across 和 through 的区别，不仅是为了应对考试，更是为了在脑海中建立起英语特有的“空间思维”。简单来说，across 强调的是在二维平面（如表面、街道、河流）上的移动；而 through 强调的是在三维空间（如隧道、森林、人群、空气）内部的穿行。这种从“面”到“体”的思维转变，是掌握这两个介词的关键。本篇讲解将带你深度剖析这两个词的用法，帮你扫清中式英语的思维障碍。Across 的核心含义是从物体的一边到另一边，且这种移动通常发生在表面（surface）上。你可以把它想象成在地图上画一条横线。- 物理表面的移动：当你在一个开阔的、相对平坦的空间移动时，使用
across。比如walk across the street（穿过马路）或swim across the lake（游过湖泊）。虽然湖水有深度，但当你“游过”它时，英语视角关注的是你从这一岸到了那一岸的这个“跨越”动作。 - 跨越边界或延伸：它也可以表示某种状态横跨了整个区域。比如
a bridge across the river（横跨河流的大桥）。 - 在...的对面：这是一个静态用法。比如
The coffee shop is across the street.（咖啡店就在马路对面）。这和opposite的意思很接近。 - 抽象的覆盖：当某个事物影响了整个范围时，也会用
across。比如The news spread across the country.（消息传遍了全国）。这里的“全国”被看作一个平面范围。
Through 的核心含义是进入一个三维空间（3D space），从内部穿过，最后从另一头出来。它强调的是一种“被包围”的感觉。- 在封闭或拥挤的空间中移动：如果你周围有东西（墙壁、树木、建筑、人群），你就是在
through。比如drive through a tunnel（开车穿过隧道），walk through a forest（穿过森林）。 - 穿过某种介质：当物体在液体、气体或某种物质中间穿行时。比如
The sun shines through the window.（阳光穿过窗户），The bullet went through the wall.（子弹穿透了墙壁）。 - 经历一段时间或过程：这是
through非常重要的抽象用法。比如get through the exam（熬过考试），work through the night（工作了一整夜）。你把时间看作一个隧道，你从开始进入，经历了过程，最后到达终点。 - 通过某种手段：表示媒介。比如
We met through a mutual friend.（我们是通过共同的朋友认识的）。
across 和 through 作为介词，通常放在动词之后，名词短语之前。其基本公式为：across / through + [名词短语]Across (平面/跨越) | 使用 Through (内部/穿透) |swim across the river (游过河面) | hike through the jungle (穿行在丛林里) |walk across the square (横穿广场) | drive through the city center (穿过闹市区) |run across the bridge (跑过大桥) | go through the revolving door (穿过旋转门) |across the world (全世界范围内) | through the years (历经多年) |go, walk, run, drive, fly, swim, travel 等。此外，它们也常出现在感知动词后，如 look, see, peer：She looked across the room.(她望向房间的另一头 —— 视线扫过平面空间)She looked through the telescope.(她通过望远镜观看 —— 视线穿过管状物体)
- 如果你说
I swam across the river.，你强调的是你完成了从 A 岸到 B 岸的目标，你关注的是距离和横跨动作。 - 如果你说
The fish swam through the water.，这强调的是鱼在水这个介质内部游动，水包围着鱼。
- 在微信朋友圈里，你可能会发一张在上海南京路步行街的照片。如果你说
It's hard to walk across the street.，通常指马路很宽，很难横穿过去。 - 但如果你说
It's hard to push through the crowd.，则是在抱怨人太多了，你被人群包围着，必须用力挤（穿过这个三维的人墙）才能过去。
- Across：
We need to implement this policy across all departments.(我们需要在所有部门推行这项政策)。这里把公司看作一个平面图，政策要覆盖每一个点。 - Through：
We need to go through the data one more time.(我们需要把数据再过一遍)。这里把数据看作一个厚厚的物体或一个过程，你需要进入内部去仔细检查。
The package is traveling across the country.(包裹正在跨越全国 —— 强调地理上的长距离移动)。The package has gone through the sorting center.(包裹已经通过了分拣中心 —— 强调进入并离开了某个特定的处理节点)。
cross (动词) 和 across (介词)cross 是动词，across 是介词。- 错误:
I across the street. - 正确:
I cross the street.(使用动词) - 正确:
I walk across the street.(动词 + 介词)
walk, run 这样的动词，后面就要接 across。如果你没有别的动词，直接想表达“横穿”，就用 cross。walk across the forest。- 解析：除非你是像超人一样从森林上方飞过去，或者森林只有稀稀拉拉几棵树，否则你一定是身处树木包围之中的。只要有这种“进入内部”的感觉，就必须用
through。 - 修正：
walk through the forest。
by。虽然 by 也可以，但在表示“经历过程”或“通过媒介”时，through 更地道。- 场景：你想说“我通过努力工作获得了成功”。
- 中式表达:
I got success by hard work.(语法通，但略显生硬) - 地道表达:
I achieved success through hard work.(强调通过这一段艰辛的过程)
across 和 through 放入一个更大的介词体系中进行对比。Across vs. OverAcross | 在表面上移动，强调从一边到另一边 | walk across the bridge (走过桥面) |Over | 从上方越过，通常不接触表面，或强调跨越障碍 | jump over the fence (跳过篱笆) |Through vs. AlongThrough | 从内部穿过（3D） | go through the tunnel (穿过隧道内部) |Along | 沿着边缘或平行线移动（1D/2D） | walk along the river (沿着河边走) |Through vs. PastThrough | 进去了，又出来了 | walk through the bank (你进了银行门，从后门出去了) |Past | 经过，但没进去 | walk past the bank (你只是路过银行门口) |swim through the river 吗？swim across the river 是指你从南岸游到了北岸。而 swim through the river 听起来像是你潜入水下，在水流中间穿行，或者河里有很多水草，你费力地从中间穿过去。all across the world 而不是 all through the world？across the world 强调的是分布的广泛性。而 through the world 听起来像是你要钻到地壳里面穿过去，或者是在经历世间的人情冷暖（抽象用法）。Get across 和 Get through 在口语里有什么区别？get (something) across: 指“把意思表达清楚”。例如：I tried to get my point across.(我试着把我的观点讲明白)。get through (something): 指“完成”或“熬过”。例如：I can't wait to get through this week.(我等不及想熬完这周了)。
across；“洞”里钻，用 through。 街道、河流、操场都是“面”；隧道、森林、窗户、人群都是“洞”（空间）。Usage with Common Verbs
| Verb | With 'Across' (Surface) | With 'Through' (Volume) |
|---|---|---|
|
Walk
|
Walk across the bridge
|
Walk through the forest
|
|
Run
|
Run across the track
|
Run through the tunnel
|
|
Drive
|
Drive across the border
|
Drive through the city
|
|
Swim
|
Swim across the lake
|
Swim through the reeds
|
|
Look
|
Look across the valley
|
Look through the telescope
|
|
Cut
|
Cut across the grass
|
Cut through the meat
|
|
Fly
|
Fly across the ocean
|
Fly through the clouds
|
|
Pass
|
Pass across the screen
|
Pass through the gate
|
Meanings
These prepositions describe movement from one side of something to the other, but they differ based on the geometry of the object being crossed.
Across: Surface Movement
Movement from one side to the other of a flat area, surface, or line.
“The cat ran across the lawn.”
“They are building a new bridge across the bay.”
Through: Volume Movement
Movement from one side to the other within a three-dimensional space, often surrounded by things.
“The train went through the tunnel.”
“Water flows through the pipes.”
Across: Position
On the opposite side of something.
“The pharmacy is just across the road.”
“She sat across from me at dinner.”
Through: Time and Process
From the beginning to the end of a period or a series of actions.
“He slept through the entire movie.”
“I read through the contract carefully.”
Reference Table
| Function | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Movement (2D)
|
Across
|
He ran across the playground.
|
|
Movement (3D)
|
Through
|
The mouse ran through the pipe.
|
|
Position
|
Across
|
The bank is across the street.
|
|
Duration
|
Through
|
She worked through the weekend.
|
|
Medium
|
Through
|
I heard it through the grapevine.
|
|
Distribution
|
Across
|
The policy applies across the firm.
|
|
Completion
|
Through
|
I am halfway through the book.
|
|
Obstacle
|
Through
|
We pushed through the heavy snow.
|
正式程度
The pedestrians traversed across the municipal park. (Daily life)
They walked across the park. (Daily life)
They cut across the park. (Daily life)
They headed across the park. (Daily life)
2D vs 3D Movement
Which one should I use?
Is it a flat surface?
Are you inside it?
按水平分级的例句
I walk across the road.
The cat goes through the window.
He lives across the street.
We go through the park.
She ran across the bridge to catch the bus.
The bird flew through the open door.
They walked across the big field.
I can't see through these dirty glasses.
We sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in three weeks.
The sunlight shone through the leaves of the trees.
I found this old photo while looking through a drawer.
News of the accident spread quickly across the town.
The company has offices scattered across the country.
He managed to get through the exam despite being ill.
The bullet passed through the wooden plank.
She stared across the room at her rival.
The virus spread across the population with alarming speed.
I've been through a lot of emotional turmoil lately.
The architect designed a path that cuts across the courtyard.
He spoke through an interpreter during the summit.
The theme of redemption resonates across his entire body of work.
We must see this initiative through to its logical conclusion.
The signal was transmitted across a series of relay stations.
She navigated through the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the ministry.
容易混淆
Both can mean moving to the other side of a road or river.
Learners use 'through' when they mean following a path.
Learners forget the 'from' when describing location.
常见错误
I go across the door.
I go through the door.
The car goes through the bridge.
The car goes across the bridge.
I walk through the street.
I walk across the street.
He is through the room.
He is across the room.
We walked across the woods.
We walked through the woods.
The bird flew across the window.
The bird flew through the window.
I looked across the keyhole.
I looked through the keyhole.
I slept across the meeting.
I slept through the meeting.
The news went through the country.
The news went across the country.
He pushed across the crowd.
He pushed through the crowd.
The idea spread through the board.
The idea spread across the board.
句型
I walked across the ___.
The train went through the ___.
It's located just across from the ___.
I've been looking through my ___ all morning.
Real World Usage
Drive across the bridge and then go through the tunnel.
I was scrolling through my Instagram feed.
I have worked with teams across different time zones.
We backpacked through Europe last summer.
Let's walk through the project requirements.
I'm halfway through the movie, call u later!
The Paper vs. Box Test
Avoid 'Acrosst'
Through for Time
Across from vs Opposite
Smart Tips
Check if you are 'on top' of the thing (Across) or 'inside' the thing (Through).
Always use 'across from' if you are describing where a building is.
Use 'through' because you are moving from the first page to the last page (a volume of work).
Use 'across' to show distribution, like a blanket covering a bed.
发音
Across Ending
The 'ss' in across is a voiceless /s/ sound. Do not add a 't' at the end (a common native-speaker error: 'acrosst').
Through Vowel
The 'ough' is pronounced like 'oo' in 'food'. The 'th' is the voiceless /θ/ as in 'think'.
Emphasis on Preposition
I didn't go OVER it, I went THROUGH it!
Used to correct a misunderstanding about the path taken.
记住它
记忆技巧
Across is for an Area (flat); Through is for a Tunnel (3D).
视觉联想
Imagine a flat sheet of paper. To get to the other side, you go 'across'. Now imagine a straw. To get to the other side, you must go 'through'.
Rhyme
Across the floor, through the door.
Story
A hiker wanted to reach a mountain. First, he walked across a flat desert (2D). Then, he had to hike through a thick, dark forest (3D). Finally, he swam across a wide river (2D) to reach the base.
Word Web
挑战
Look around your room. Identify one thing you can move 'across' (like a rug) and one thing you can move 'through' (like a doorway). Say the sentences out loud.
文化笔记
In the UK, 'across from' is often replaced by 'opposite'. For example, 'The pub is opposite the station.'
Americans almost exclusively use 'across from' for locations. 'The store is across from the mall.'
Similar to British English, but 'across' is frequently used in sports commentary to describe the movement of the ball over the field.
'Across' comes from the 13th-century Old French 'a croix', meaning 'in the form of a cross'. 'Through' comes from the Old English 'thurh', which has Proto-Germanic roots.
对话开场白
Have you ever walked across a very long bridge?
What is the most beautiful forest you have ever walked through?
If you had to travel across the ocean, would you prefer a ship or a plane?
Tell me about a difficult time you've been through recently.
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
The hikers walked ___ the thick forest for three hours.
He drew a line ___ the middle of the page.
Find and fix the mistake:
The train passed across the tunnel at high speed.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
lives / she / the / street / across
We use 'through' for flat surfaces like a map.
A: How do I get to the bank? B: Just walk ___ the bridge and it's on your left.
1. A pipe, 2. A lake, 3. A window, 4. A field
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesThe hikers walked ___ the thick forest for three hours.
He drew a line ___ the middle of the page.
Find and fix the mistake:
The train passed across the tunnel at high speed.
1. Bridge, 2. Tunnel, 3. Crowd, 4. Desert
lives / she / the / street / across
We use 'through' for flat surfaces like a map.
A: How do I get to the bank? B: Just walk ___ the bridge and it's on your left.
1. A pipe, 2. A lake, 3. A window, 4. A field
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe hikers made their way ___ the narrow canyon.
A snake was slithering ___ the grass.
Select the correct sentence:
The nail went across the piece of wood.
Translate this idea into English: 'The wind blew among the trees.'
Arrange these words:
Match the action to its most likely location:
I'm just looking ___ the window at the people walking by.
She's had to go across a lot of difficulties this year.
Arrange these words:
Which sentence suggests a more complete action?
Translate this idea into English: 'I drew a line on the paper, from one side to the other.'
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
Yes! If you feel like the park is a 3D space with trees and gates around you, `through` is very common. If you are just crossing it to get to the other side, `across` is also fine.
Yes, they are synonyms. `Across from` is more common in American English, while `opposite` is more common in British English.
This is a metaphorical use of `through` for time. We imagine time as a tunnel or a path that we are moving inside of from start to finish.
Yes. In the sentence 'The river is wide, I can't swim across,' `across` is an adverb because it doesn't have a noun following it.
It is an idiom meaning 'applying to everyone or everything in a group.' For example, 'The company gave a 5% raise across the board.'
Only if the bridge is enclosed (like a covered bridge or a tunnel-like structure). Otherwise, use `across`.
`Thru` is an informal, American spelling often used on road signs or in fast-food 'drive-thrus'. In formal writing, always use `through`.
`Throughout` is more emphatic and means 'in every part of' or 'during the whole time of'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
a través de / por
English requires a choice based on 2D/3D, while Spanish often relies on the verb choice.
à travers / par
French speakers often struggle with 'across' as a preposition because they prefer the verb 'traverser'.
über / durch
German 'über' also means 'above', which can lead to confusion with 'over'.
を渡る (wo wataru) / を通る (wo tooru)
Japanese encodes the movement in the verb rather than just the preposition.
عبر (abra) / خلال (khilal)
Arabic 'abra' is more versatile and less strictly 2D/3D than English.
过 (guò) / 穿过 (chuānguò)
Chinese uses verb-complements to show the nature of the movement.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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