a length away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a length away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a distance or separation between two points or objects. Example: "The park is just a length away from my house, making it easy to visit whenever I want."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"And we were giving half a length away here, half a length away there.

Independent

O'Connor was always half a a length away, which, she said, was exactly where she wanted to be.

The Guardian - Sport

He galloped on strongly to head The Giant Bolster (50-1) and strike by two and a quarter lengths, with last year's winner Long Run, the 7-4 favonlythirdnly third - another three-quarters of a length away.

Independent

The race itself was suitably dramatic, as Wayne Lordan pushed Duntle through a narrow gap inside the final furlong and then held off the late charge of Chachamaidee and Tom Queally, with Emulous, the favourite, just half a length away in third.

The Guardian - Sport

He was up in the irons, whip to the sky, as Colm O'Donoghue drove Treasure Beach, a 25-1 chance, to within a head on the far rail with Carlton House, the 5-2 fanothere, anothree-quartersrters of a length away in third.

The Guardian - Sport

South African champion mare River Jetez led the final pursuers but could get no closer than the half length by which she was beaten, with former German 2,000 Guineas winner Irian, now trained in Hong Kong by John Moore, deadheating with last year's fourth, the locally trained Waikato, a length away in third.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

MEMS-based beam steering system starts with a set of tilting mirrors, where the beam tilt is converted to a lateral beam shift using a Fourier lens located a focal length away from the MEMS mirror.

Duke University

A player was allowed to drop his ball a club length away if it rolled up against an abandoned auto, or, in one case, a boat.

Los Angeles Times

In the box seats, fans sit behind a short white trellis fence, a car length away from the court.

The New York Times

He stubs a chip, and it dribbles less than a club length away.

The New York Times - Sports

Garlic can get into the eyes and mouth even if a clove is just rubbed on the foot, a body length away.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “a length away” to provide a tangible sense of distance, especially when comparing positions in races or physical spaces. For example, "The finish line was just a length away, fueling the runner's final sprint."

Common error

Avoid using “a length away” in purely abstract contexts where a physical distance isn't implied. It's more appropriate for describing literal distances in spatial or competitive scenarios, not for metaphorical separations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “a length away” primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause to indicate distance. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a physical separation between two points, often used in sports or spatial descriptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “a length away” is grammatically correct and functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a tangible distance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is best used in contexts where a physical separation needs to be clearly visualized. Primarily found in news and media, it is also seen in academic and wiki sources, indicating a neutral register. When a more generic term for separation is desired, alternatives such as "at a distance" or "some distance off" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a distance

Focuses on the state of being separated by space.

some distance off

Emphasizes the remoteness or separation.

a certain distance away

Specifies a separation of an unspecified amount.

a space apart

Highlights the separation as an interval of space.

within range

Implies being close enough to be affected or reached.

in close proximity

Refers to being physically near or adjacent.

nearby

Indicates a location that is not far away.

in the vicinity

Denotes the general area surrounding a particular place.

just around the corner

Suggests a very short distance or imminent arrival.

within earshot

Highlights the separation enough to be heard.

FAQs

How can I use "a length away" in a sentence?

You can use "a length away" to describe a physical distance, often in racing or spatial contexts. For example, "The finish line was just "a length away"." or "The island seemed only "a length away" from the shore".

What phrases are similar to "a length away"?

Similar phrases include "at a distance", "some distance off", or "a certain distance away", all indicating some form of separation.

Is "a length away" formal or informal?

"A length away" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the specific situation.

When should I use "a length away" instead of just saying "far away"?

Use "a length away" when you want to provide a more specific or tangible sense of distance, often relative to a particular object or standard unit of measure. This makes the distance more relatable for the reader.