a long shot of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long shot of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in photography or film to describe a wide-angle view that captures a large area or distance. Example: "The director decided to start the scene with a long shot of the sprawling landscape to set the mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

That's a long shot, of course.

The Guardian - Film

A Biden candidacy would be a long shot, of course.

The New Yorker

There is a long shot of the tables in Gasner's, all crowded.

The New Yorker

A long shot of a saddled horse falling back on its hind legs.

The New York Times

We get a fist-pump and a "Come on!" when Nadal reciprocates with a long shot of his own.

The Guardian - Sport

That gargantuan task has morphed from a long shot of a possibility earlier this decade to an implausible thought.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Repeating last year's performance looks like a long shot, given the rest of this summer's lineup.

The New York Times

With Kathryn Hahn, she was a long shot for any of those equations because she's not really a known quantity.

Huffington Post

A long shot because of lack of direct Wall Street experience and relative pro-regulation stance.

Huffington Post

But his candidacy would be a long shot, because of the mayor's unorthodox approach to politics and the mathematics of the Electoral College.

The New York Times

Still, he said, Mr. Simon was a long shot because of his conservative stands and inexperience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene in writing, use "a long shot of" to establish the setting and provide context for the reader. It helps to paint a picture of the overall environment before zooming in on specific details.

Common error

Avoid using "a long shot of" metaphorically when discussing abstract concepts or probabilities. Instead, use phrases like "a slim chance" or "an unlikely possibility" to maintain clarity and avoid confusing your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long shot of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to describe a visual perspective in photography or film. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples, primarily from news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a long shot of" is a prepositional phrase primarily used to describe a wide-angle visual perspective, especially in contexts related to film and photography. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct and its frequency is very common, appearing most often in news and media sources. When writing, remember to use "a long shot of" to effectively establish a scene or provide context, but avoid using it metaphorically in non-visual contexts. Alternatives such as "a distant view of" or "a wide-angle view of" can be used depending on the specific visual aspect you want to emphasize. Avoiding its misuse and following the best practices will ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slim chance of

Emphasizes the low probability of success.

a distant view of

Focuses on the distance aspect, emphasizing the perspective.

a wide-angle view of

Highlights the broad scope captured in the image.

a panoramic perspective of

Emphasizes a comprehensive and expansive view.

a far-off glimpse of

Highlights the remoteness and fleeting nature of the view.

a remote sighting of

Stresses the difficulty and rarity of the observation.

a lucky break

Implies an unexpected, positive outcome.

an improbable possibility of

Emphasizes the unlikelihood of something happening.

a good view of

Suggests clarity and unobstructed sight.

a broad vista of

Highlights a wide and beautiful view.

FAQs

How is "a long shot of" typically used in film or photography?

In film and photography, "a long shot of" refers to a camera shot that shows the subject from a distance, providing a broad view of the scene and its surroundings. It's often used to establish the setting or to show the scale of the environment.

What can I say instead of "a long shot of" when describing a visual scene?

You can use alternatives like "a distant view of", "a wide-angle view of", or "a panoramic perspective of" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is there a difference between "a long shot of" and "a wide shot of"?

While similar, "a long shot of" typically implies a greater distance and a broader view than "a wide shot of". A wide shot might focus on a group of people in a room, while a long shot could show the entire building and its surroundings.

Can "a long shot of" be used in contexts other than visual descriptions?

While primarily used for visual descriptions, "a long shot" (without "of") can be used metaphorically to describe something with a low probability of success. However, "a long shot of" is generally reserved for describing visual scenes.