Across in IELTS Writing
Across is useful when you describe many groups, places, or categories at one time. This lesson gives easy patterns you can reuse in Task 1 and Task 2.
In this lesson, we use simple examples and short steps. Learn one pattern, use it in your own sentence, and then check your answer.
What across means
Across helps you show range or distribution. It is useful when one idea is true in many places, groups, or fields.
In IELTS writing, this word is common in Task 1 reports and in Task 2 arguments. It sounds natural when you want to connect many categories in one sentence.
Range idea
Internet use rose across all age groups.
Distribution idea
Support was strong across rural and urban areas.
Useful patterns
| Pattern | Meaning / Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
across + plural noun | many groups/places | Prices increased across major cities. |
across + all + plural noun | full range | The trend appeared across all sectors. |
across + A and B | two category groups | The policy was accepted across schools and workplaces. |
Across vs in
Use in for one place (in Canada). Use across for many places or groups (across Canada, across regions).
Common mistakes
Practice
- Rewrite: The change happened in many sectors.
- Fix: The trend increased in across regions.
- Write one sentence with across all age groups.
Mini-quiz
- Choose the best option: A) in all sectors B) across all sectors (for distribution focus)
- Fix: “Support grew across the city and in across suburbs.”
Answer key
- B.
- ”Support grew across the city and the suburbs.”
Explore another category: