a ways away

USAGE SUMMARY

"a ways away" can be used in written English and is considered an informal or dialectical expression.
It is often used to mean "a good distance away" or "quite a distance away." Example: "We're thinking about taking a trip to the beach, but it's a ways away from where we live."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

I think we're a ways away from spending a million dollars an episode, just to pick a number, distributing that on the Internet and making your money back.

Forbes

We're a little bit of a ways away".

The New York Times - Sports

"We are still a ways away from seeing what this management team can do".

The New York Times - Tech

But senators involved in the negotiations cautioned that a deal remained a ways away.

The New York Times

"We're a ways away from where we need to be," Chauncey Billups said.

The New York Times - Sports

"What we plan to do at this point is still a ways away," Mr. Cunha said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

A way away from a railway.

The Guardian - Money

Bad sex – and the city's a way away.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We're still quite a way away from the Australia game.

BBC

If you have just seen someone a way away, switch to your sniper and take them.

WikiHow

November, however, is a long ways away in political time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a ways away" to indicate a considerable distance or time, particularly when aiming for a conversational tone. It's best suited for informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a ways away" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "considerable distance" or "significant time frame".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ways away" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate distance or time. As shown by Ludwig, it often describes something not being immediately accessible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a ways away" is an adverbial phrase indicating that something is not nearby or imminent. It is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, but considered informal and best suited for conversational or narrative contexts. It should be avoided in formal or academic writing in favor of more precise alternatives such as "considerable distance" or "significant time frame". Although widely used in News & Media, it is less common in academic or business settings. While it conveys a general sense of separation, alternatives like "far off" or "a long way off" can add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long way off

Similar meaning, but slightly emphasizes the duration or effort required to close the distance.

a good distance

Specifies that the separation is substantial.

far off

A simpler, more direct way of expressing distance.

some distance off

Indicates a noticeable separation, focusing on the space involved.

out of range

Indicates being beyond the limit of reach or effectiveness.

quite distant

Emphasizes the separation using a more formal tone.

not in the immediate vicinity

A more formal way to say not nearby, emphasizing the surrounding area.

considerably removed

Highlights a significant degree of separation.

not within reach

Focuses on the unattainability due to distance or other factors.

at a remove

Suggests a detached or isolated position.

FAQs

What does "a ways away" mean?

The phrase "a ways away" means that something is a considerable distance or time in the future. It implies that the destination or event is not close or immediate.

When is it appropriate to use "a ways away" in writing?

"A ways away" is best used in informal writing, conversations, or narratives where a casual tone is appropriate. Avoid it in formal reports or academic papers.

What are some alternative phrases for "a ways away"?

You can use alternatives like "a good distance", "far off", or "a long way off" depending on the context.

Is "a ways away" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a ways away" is grammatically correct, although it is considered an informal or dialectical expression. Ludwig AI confirms its use in written English.