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read across

C1 formal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To use what you learned in one situation to understand a different but similar situation.

Literal meaning: To read in a horizontal direction across a page or table.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic formal

To apply or transfer lessons, conclusions, or findings from one area to another similar area.

"The results from this pilot study read across well to larger hospital settings."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To read horizontally across a row or table of data.

"Read across the table to find the value that corresponds to your age group."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Common in academic, policy, and research English. Typically used when comparing studies, sectors, or fields to see if conclusions from one are relevant to another. Often appears as 'these findings read across to...'

Commonly used with

findings lessons policy sector research results

Forms

Base
read across
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reads across
he/she/it
Past simple
read across
yesterday
Past participle
read across
have + pp
-ing form
reading across
continuous

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Synonyms

transfer to apply to extrapolate to generalise to map onto

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