a bit away from

USAGE SUMMARY

'a bit away from' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is a short distance away from some other thing. For example, "The nearest beach is only a bit away from the town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

They had their own tent a bit away from us.

The Guardian

It takes a bit away from this win".

The New York Times - Sports

We are quite a bit away from consensus," the German foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, told reporters.

The New York Times

Her tee shot landed in the rough, and her next was quite a bit away from the green.

The New York Times

"Last year, he would allow Jason to do some things, but I think that took a bit away from what he could do," Coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

The New York Times - Sports

In any case, this gimp-suited Christina seems a lot further than a decade and a bit away from her 90s incarnation.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"I guess it says that I'm a little bit away from my A-game right now".

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, Letterman seems to be treating the new show as an opportunity to move a little bit away from his usual sardonic style and offer more depth and seriousness.

TechCrunch

Ford's chief financial officer, Lewis W.K. Booth, said the company now has "an opportunity going forward to think about a dividend, but we're a little bit away from talking about that publicly".

The New York Times

One simple trick is to place some food a little bit away from you, as a decoy.

Huffington Post

"When God gives you a talent," says Bill Curbishley, when asked what exactly a manager brings to music, "he takes a little bit away from somewhere else … I'm the guy who replaces it".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing locations, use "a bit away from" to indicate a short, manageable distance that doesn't require precise measurements. For example, "The café is a bit away from the main street, making it a quieter spot."

Common error

Avoid relying solely on phrases like "a bit away from" when specific details are necessary. Providing a clearer sense of distance enhances understanding. Instead of "The hotel is a bit away from the airport", specify "The hotel is 15 minutes from the airport".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit away from" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating spatial relation. Ludwig AI supports this, showing numerous examples where the phrase modifies locations, distances, and positions relative to other points.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit away from" serves as a prepositional phrase indicating a moderate spatial separation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While versatile, it's best used when precise measurements are not essential. For clarity, avoid overusing it in contexts requiring specific distances. Related phrases include "slightly distant from" and "somewhat removed from". With its neutral register, "a bit away from" is applicable in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short distance from

Emphasizes the proximity while acknowledging separation.

slightly distant from

Indicates a minor degree of separation.

not quite adjacent to

Specifies that something is close, but not directly next to.

somewhat removed from

Suggests a moderate level of detachment.

slightly detached from

Suggests a minor disconnection.

a step removed from

Implies a conceptual or metaphorical separation.

relatively far from

Highlights the distance as considerable.

at a slight remove from

A refined way of suggesting a gentle distance.

at a remove from

A more formal way to express separation.

in proximity to

Indicates nearness, but still distinct from the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit away from" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit away from" to describe something that is located at a short distance from another thing or place. For instance, "The quiet beach is "a bit away from" the crowded tourist area".

What's a good alternative to "a bit away from"?

Alternatives include "slightly distant from", "somewhat removed from", or "a short distance from". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be specific about distance rather than using "a bit away from"?

Specificity enhances clarity, especially when precise information matters. While "a bit away from" is useful for general descriptions, providing exact distances (e.g., "10 minutes from") gives readers a more accurate understanding. When precision is less important, consider phrases like ""slightly distant from"" or "nearby".

When should I avoid using the phrase "a bit away from"?

Avoid using "a bit away from" when describing highly sensitive or critical distances where accuracy is crucial, such as in scientific research or engineering specifications. In these contexts, precise measurements are required, instead of ambiguous descriptions like "a slight remove from".