What Does “Put sth across” Mean?
“Put sth across” means to communicate or express an idea, message, or opinion clearly so that others understand it.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “put sth across” is commonly used in English to describe the act of explaining or presenting ideas clearly. Whether in conversations, presentations, or writing, putting something across means making sure your message is understood by others. Understanding the “put sth across” meaning helps learners improve their communication skills and express thoughts effectively. This phrase is useful in everyday situations and professional settings alike, where clear communication is essential.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: put something across
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to explain or communicate something clearly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Put sth across” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the object can come between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- Put something across
- Put something across
Examples:
- She put her ideas across clearly.
- He put across his opinion confidently.
How to Use Put sth across?
Use “put sth across” when you want to say that someone has communicated an idea or message clearly. It often refers to speaking or writing. It is useful when describing effective communication in meetings, teaching, or casual conversations.
Commonly, the object is a message, idea, opinion, or point.
Examples
When giving a presentation, it is important to put your points across clearly.
- She put across her argument very well during the debate.
- The teacher put the lesson across in a simple way.
- He struggled to put across his feelings to his friends.
- Good speakers know how to put complex ideas across easily.
- We need to put across the importance of recycling to the community.
Put sth across in a sentence: “The manager put across the new policy to all employees during the meeting.”
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse “put sth across” with other phrases or use it incorrectly by omitting the object.
- Incorrect: She put across clearly.
- Correct: She put her opinion across clearly.
- Incorrect: Put across your ideas it is important.
- Correct: It is important to put across your ideas.
Always remember that “put sth across” needs an object (something to communicate).
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “get across” and “make understood.”
- Put across focuses on expressing or presenting an idea clearly.
- Get across emphasizes successfully making someone understand.
- Make understood means causing comprehension, often by effort.
Example:
- He put his point across well. (He expressed it clearly.)
- He got his point across to the audience. (The audience understood.)
Common Collocations
We often use “put sth across” with words related to communication and ideas.
- Put ideas across – explain thoughts
- Put points across – express arguments
- Put messages across – communicate information
- Put opinions across – share views
- Put feelings across – express emotions
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of put sth across:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “put sth across”:
Anna: I found it hard to put my ideas across during the meeting.
Ben: Maybe you need to explain them more simply.
Anna: Yes, I’ll try to put my points across more clearly next time.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) She put across clearly her message.
- b) She put her message across clearly.
- c) She put across her clearly message.
Answer: b) She put her message across clearly.
FAQ
- What does “put sth across” mean? It means to explain or communicate something clearly to others.
- Is “put sth across” separable? Yes, you can put the object between “put” and “across” or after “across.”
- Can I use “put sth across” in formal writing? Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
- What is the difference between “put across” and “get across”? “Put across” means to express clearly; “get across” means to make others understand.
- Can “put sth across” be used with feelings? Yes, you can put your feelings across by expressing them clearly.
