a passage away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passage away" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you want to indicate that something is a short distance or a brief moment away, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The library is just a passage away from the main hall."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sometimes he'd raise a hand and impatiently wave a passage away: not good enough.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The morgue itself is a few corridors and a fetid outdoor passage away.

Vice

Issues of sexuality, generational divide, class and self-loathing are cross-stitched into a compelling patchwork of edgy masculinity in this tale of a gay Xhosa navigating a traditionally heteronormative rite of passage away from society's gaze.

Los Angeles Times

It is also helpful to have a yearly bible in case if you can't find a good passage right away.

WikiHow

It was observed from both CFD and experiment that the leakage flow forms a passage vortex, which shifts away from the wall while travelling downstream.

Journal of Computational Design and Engineering

"Thanks to a passage which was further away than anticipated, the effects on the territory were markedly less," the meteorological agency said.

The Guardian

Straub's epigraph from "The Last Tycoon" cuts away from a passage so that it ends by saying Hollywood can be understood "only dimly and in flashes," quietly saving the next sentence for her novel.

The New York Times - Books

While the Shard's tenants enter offices via an airy glass atrium, on the grand scale you would expect for the rent they will be paying, visitors to the View are directed to what looks like a service entrance, tucked away in a passage beneath the station, and they are then shuffled unceremoniously up a flight of stairs.

The Guardian

Reflecting on the more than five years that she has spent on the site, she noted that the Queensboro Bridge is just a few blocks away, and recalled a passage from "The Great Gatsby": "The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world".

The New Yorker

What a passage!

The New York Times

A passage scrambled?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and readily understood alternatives like "a short distance away" or "nearby" to avoid potential confusion when using "a passage away".

Common error

Avoid using "a passage away" when referring to time or abstract concepts. It is generally better suited for physical distances or locations. For example, do not use "a solution is just a passage away"; prefer "a solution is within reach".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passage away" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the proximity of something. It specifies that something is located a short distance, typically accessible via a passage or corridor. Ludwig notes that while grammatically acceptable, it may cause confusion due to its non-standard usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a passage away" is an adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is nearby, specifically accessible through a passage. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig indicates it's not a standard English phrase and might lead to confusion. It appears infrequently across various contexts, including news, science, and general web content. For clearer communication, consider alternatives like "a short distance away" or "nearby". Use "a passage away" carefully and primarily when the proximity is indeed defined by a physical passage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close by

A simpler, more direct way to indicate nearness.

a short distance away

Emphasizes physical proximity rather than a metaphorical journey or progression.

in close proximity

A more formal way of saying "nearby", stressing closeness.

just around the corner

Indicates nearness and ease of access, often used for locations.

a stone's throw away

Highlights close proximity, suggesting something is very near.

only moments away

Emphasizes the short amount of time needed to reach a destination.

a hop, skip, and a jump away

Conveys a sense of fun and ease in reaching a nearby location.

within easy reach

Focuses on the accessibility and convenience of reaching something.

in the vicinity

Indicates that something is located in the general area.

a brief journey away

Focuses on the journey to get there, although it is short.

FAQs

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

While not a standard phrase, you can use "a passage away" to describe something that is a short distance through a passage, like "The library is just "a passage away" from the main hall."

What can I say instead of "a passage away"?

You can use alternatives like "a short distance away", "nearby", or "just around the corner" depending on the context.

Is "a passage away" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "a passage away" is not a standard or commonly used phrase in English. Ludwig AI suggests that it can be confusing to readers, and you might prefer a more standard alternative.

What's the difference between "a passage away" and "a short distance away"?

"A short distance away" is a more common and easily understood way to express that something is nearby. "A passage away" implies that the distance involves going through a specific passage or corridor.