These combinations have different meanings. Sweep through and sweep across usually describe movement, while sweep under often means moving something beneath another object.
Use sweep through for movement inside an area, sweep across for movement from one side to another, and sweep under for movement beneath something or for hiding a problem in the idiom sweep under the rug.
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
Use sweep through when something moves quickly through a space or group.
Use sweep across for broad movement over an area or surface.
Use sweep under when physically pushing dirt or objects beneath something.
This idiom means to avoid dealing with something embarrassing or difficult.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Sweep under usually needs an object and a place underneath something.
✕ The storm swept under the country. ✓ The storm swept through the country.Through focuses on movement within an area; across focuses on crossing from side to side.
✕ The river sweeps through the bridge. ✓ The river sweeps across the plain.Sweep under normally describes moving something beneath another object.
✕ She swept under the bed. ✓ She swept the dust under the bed.Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Yes. It often describes emotions or reactions spreading quickly through a group.
No. It can also describe expressions, emotions, light, or changes moving broadly across something.
No. It usually takes an object, such as sweep the dirt under the bed.
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