What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
throughout
Example
The flowers were scattered throughout the garden. [throughout: preposition]
Example
Throughout the day, the temperature remained constant. [throughout: adverb]
across
Example
The bridge spans across the river. [across: preposition]
Example
She walked across the room to greet her friend. [across: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Across is more commonly used than throughout in everyday language. Across is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while throughout is less common and often used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between throughout and across?
While across is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, throughout is more formal and often used in academic or technical writing.
