What Does โCross sth throughโ Mean?
โCross sth throughโ means to draw a line through a word, phrase, or number to show that it is incorrect or no longer needed.
Introduction
The phrase โcross sth throughโ is commonly used in both writing and editing. When you cross something through, you literally draw a line over it to indicate it should be ignored or deleted. This is a simple way to correct mistakes or update information without completely erasing the original text. The cross sth through meaning is straightforward but very useful in everyday communication, especially when writing by hand or reviewing documents. Understanding how to use this phrase helps learners describe editing actions clearly and accurately.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: cross something through
- Type: transitive
- Level: A2
- Short meaning: to draw a line through something to show it is wrong or not needed
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โCross sth throughโ is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (something) between the verb โcrossโ and the particle โthrough.โ
- Correct: cross something through
- Example: cross the word through
You cannot separate โcrossโ and โthroughโ without an object in the middle.
How to Use โCross sth throughโ?
Use โcross sth throughโ when you want to explain that someone has marked something with a line to remove or ignore it. It is often used when talking about editing text, correcting mistakes, or marking items off a list. You can use it in past, present, or future tenses.
Examples
- She crossed the wrong answer through on her test paper.
- Can you cross the outdated date through and write the new one?
- He crossed the old phone number through and wrote the correct one below.
- Make sure to cross your mistakes through when you proofread your work.
- They crossed several items through on the shopping list after buying them.
These examples show how to use โcross sth through in a sentenceโ naturally.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: cross through something
- Correct: cross something through
- Incorrect: I crossed through the mistake.
- Correct: I crossed the mistake through.
Remember, the object must come between โcrossโ and โthrough.โ
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include โstrike throughโ and โcross out.โ While all mean to mark text to show it is wrong or removed, โcross sth throughโ is often used in British English, whereas โcross outโ is more common in American English. โStrike throughโ is mostly used in digital editing software.
Example:
- Cross sth through: I crossed the word through on my paper.
- Cross out: Please cross out the incorrect answers.
- Strike through: Use the strike-through feature in Word to edit text.
Common Collocations
- cross a word through
- cross a phrase through
- cross a number through
- cross a sentence through
- cross a name through
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of cross sth through:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I made a mistake on the form. What should I do?
Tom: Just cross the wrong information through and write the correct details next to it.
Anna: Okay, I will cross the old address through and add the new one.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of โcross sth throughโ:
- She ______ the wrong number ______ and wrote the correct one.
- Donโt forget to ______ the outdated dates ______ on the schedule.
- He ______ his old email address ______ before submitting the form.
FAQs
- Q: Can I say โcross through somethingโ?
A: No, the correct form is โcross something through.โ
- Q: Is โcross sth throughโ the same as โcross outโ?
A: They have similar meanings, but โcross outโ is more common in American English.
- Q: Can I use โcross sth throughโ in digital texts?
A: It is usually used for handwritten or printed text, but you can describe digital editing this way too.
- Q: Is โcross sth throughโ formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: What objects can I use with โcross sth throughโ?
A: Words, phrases, numbers, sentences, names, and similar items.
