a small far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small far" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It appears to be a fragment that lacks clarity and context, making it unusable in standard communication. Example: "I traveled a small far to reach the destination" does not convey a clear meaning.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In a small, far, dark, vanquished corner of his mind, he knew he would grow cold and tired, that he would huddle and wait at Doug's convertible, and eventually Doug would return or send someone for it, and Graham would plead for help from whoever that person would be.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The only publisher he found was a small, far-left weekly, the National Guardian, based in New York.

The Guardian

He joined a small, far-flung, highly dedicated and technically sophisticated community effort dubbed OpenKinect, which sprang up immediately after the Kinect was introduced, to write the code that would make this possible.

The New York Times

Mr Tsipras, who is fiercely against both austerity and economic reforms, formed a coalition government with a small far-right anti-austerity party and appointed a number of radical leftists to his cabinet.

The Economist

Originally brought by a small, far-right trade union, the writ against Judge Garzón (along with another one on an unrelated issue) is now backed by the minuscule rump of the once-mighty Falange.

The Economist

Bottura is one of a small, far-flung brotherhood of exceptionally gifted and inventive chefs who have deconstructed, distilled, concentrated, and, with uncommon respect, reconstructed the flavors of their own traditional cuisines.

The New Yorker

After the frenetic political maneuvering that led Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to call early elections, it was Avigdor Lieberman, leader of a small far-right party, who was tagged today as the spoiler.

The New York Times

The government is also dragging its feet on European Union demands to make it easier for non-Muslim minorities to reclaim properties confiscated by the state.One reason for this, some suggest, is that the AK government needed to placate a small far-right party whose support it needed in parliament to secure a two-thirds majority on the headscarf.

The Economist

The Maldives is a small, far-flung country.

Huffington Post

I feel I have to—I'm a no-hoper with what is then only a small, far-fetched ambition to write, and she is going places I'll never get to.

Vice

What Is ASMR and Why Does It Make Me feel So Good?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the awkward phrase "a small far", opt for clearer and more common expressions such as "a short distance" or "a little way" to improve readability.

Common error

Avoid combining "small" and "far" directly, as it often results in unclear or grammatically incorrect sentences. Choose more precise words that accurately convey the intended meaning, whether it's about physical distance, degree, or extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small far" functions as a descriptive element, but its usage is questionable and often grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is not correct and doesn't make sense in standard written English. While it attempts to modify a concept of distance, it's not standard usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small far" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and awkward, as stated by Ludwig AI. While instances may be found in diverse sources, its usage is inconsistent and often questionable. To ensure clarity and accuracy in writing, it's advisable to opt for more precise and commonly accepted alternatives such as "a short distance", "a little way", or "a slight degree", depending on the context. Despite appearing in some news and media outlets, the phrase's limited usage and grammatical issues make it a less desirable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short distance

Replaces "far" with "distance" to indicate a physical separation, while "short" refines the meaning of "small" to describe the extent of that distance.

a little way

Uses "little" to represent the small extent and "way" to imply a distance, offering a more natural and idiomatic expression.

a slight degree

Substitutes distance with "degree" to describe the extent of something, appropriate when "far" refers to a metaphorical or abstract measure.

a limited extent

Emphasizes the restricted scope or reach, suitable when "small far" implies something is not extensive.

a modest amount

Replaces spatial distance with a quantity, appropriate when "far" is used to describe an abstract quantity or degree.

a narrow margin

Conveys that the extent or difference is minimal, suitable when "far" implies a small difference or space between two things.

a close proximity

Focuses on the nearness, replacing "far" with its opposite to highlight the lack of distance.

a negligible distance

Indicates that the distance is so small that it's not worth considering.

a touch

Implies a very small degree or amount of something.

a hair's breadth

Suggests an extremely small distance or difference, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I replace the phrase "a small far" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "a short distance", "a little way", or "a slight degree" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a small far"?

No, the phrase "a small far" is generally not grammatically correct. It's better to use clearer and more standard phrases to express the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "a small far" and "a short distance"?

"A short distance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a brief physical separation, while "a small far" is awkward and less clear. It's preferable to use "a short distance".

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "a small far", and how should I rephrase it?

While rare, "a small far" might appear in creative writing or informal contexts. Rephrase it using options like "a little way" or "a short distance" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.