What Does “Cross sth through” Mean?
“Cross sth through” means to draw a line through a word, phrase, or number to show that it is incorrect or no longer needed.
Introduction
The phrase “cross sth through” 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)
“Cross sth through” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (something) between the verb “cross” and the particle “through.”
- Correct: cross something through
- Example: cross the word through
You cannot separate “cross” and “through” without an object in the middle.
How to Use “Cross sth through”?
Use “cross sth through” 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- Can you cross the outdated date through and write the new one?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 “cross sth through in a sentence” 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 “cross” and “through.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “strike through” and “cross out.” While all mean to mark text to show it is wrong or removed, “cross sth through” is often used in British English, whereas “cross out” is more common in American English. “Strike through” 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 “cross sth through”:
- She ______ the wrong number ______ and wrote the correct one.
- Don’t forget to ______ the outdated dates ______ on the schedule.
- He ______ his old email address ______ before submitting the form.
FAQs
- Q: Can I say “cross through something”?
A: No, the correct form is “cross something through.”
- Q: Is “cross sth through” the same as “cross out”?
A: They have similar meanings, but “cross out” is more common in American English.
- Q: Can I use “cross sth through” in digital texts?
A: It is usually used for handwritten or printed text, but you can describe digital editing this way too.
- Q: Is “cross sth through” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: What objects can I use with “cross sth through”?
A: Words, phrases, numbers, sentences, names, and similar items.