afar

USAGE SUMMARY

"afar" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a place that is far away or to refer to the distant past. For example, "I look out at the horizon and see distant lands afar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who want to be admired from afar but not pointed at in the street.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The tourists were visiting the volcanic Afar region, which is one of the hottest places in the world and a known haunt of rebels and bandits from Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The Guardian

Schlepping Australian novels with me to Italy became a private ritual, and never, ever have I felt as happy as when mired in the gentle sea and sunshine beside the Mediterranean while breathing in the literature of an the island continent where I grew up, a place I knew intimately but, somehow, preferred from afar.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But it's better to eat sustainably from afar than unsustainably from home waters," he insists.

The Guardian

We call that rock Ferdowsi, as it looks from afar like the great poet".

The Guardian

MY LITTLE MONSTER iOS - FREE Not many children have a 3D printer to hand at home, but My Little Monster lets them dabble with the new technology from afar.

The Guardian - Tech

Monaco have lacked bite in front of goal all season, left to crave a Radamel Falcao pre-cruciate damage from afar.

The Guardian - Sport

Now, I know what you are thinking happened next, but this lad – who was enthralled to meet us Brits Abroad, who had actually ridden in the big red London buses he so adored and revered from afar – became the perfect guide.

The Guardian - Music

A lot of people no doubt think the Football Association should get involved and that the authorities should not just watch from afar as a famous old club suffers so publicly.

The Guardian - Sport

He likened Afar to "the surface of Mars".

The Guardian

That rich combination of tragedy and fear, and sadness, too, that fresh scent of mourning that we can examine from afar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "afar" to add a touch of formality or archaism to your writing, particularly when describing observations or actions from a distance. This can create a sense of remoteness or detachment.

Common error

Avoid using "afar" excessively in contemporary writing, as it can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "at a distance" or "from afar" unless you're aiming for a specific stylistic effect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "afar" is as an adverb, modifying verbs to indicate that an action occurs at, to, or from a distance. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe observations and actions performed from a distance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "afar" is a grammatically correct and usable adverb, predominantly employed to denote distance or remoteness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showcasing its frequent appearance across diverse sources like news outlets and formal publications. While "afar" remains a viable choice, particularly for imparting a formal tone, modern English often favors alternatives such as "at a distance" or "from afar" for enhanced clarity. The analysis highlights its use in describing observations or actions occurring from a distance, emphasizing its role in establishing spatial relationships. Although versatile, awareness of stylistic nuances ensures its appropriate deployment in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a distance

This alternative uses a more literal and common way to express distance.

from a distance

This alternative specifies the viewpoint from which something is observed.

far off

This alternative is a slightly more informal way of saying "afar".

from afar off

This alternative emphasizes the remoteness.

in the distance

This alternative emphasizes the perception of something being distant.

in the far distance

This alternative adds emphasis to the extent of the distance.

remotely

This alternative focuses on the remote nature of something.

at arm's length

This alternative implies keeping something at a safe or non-engaging distance.

at long range

This alternative is more common in technical or military contexts.

at a remove

This alternative suggests a degree of separation or detachment.

FAQs

How can I use "afar" in a sentence?

You can use "afar" to describe something that is far away, as in "They watched the ship sailing "into the distance"". It can also describe observing something from a distance.

What's the difference between "afar" and "from afar"?

"Afar" is an adverb that means 'at, to, or from a great distance'. "From afar" is a prepositional phrase with the same meaning, often used to emphasize the viewpoint. Both are interchangeable in many contexts, but "from afar" is more commonly used in modern English.

What can I say instead of "afar"?

You can use alternatives like "at a distance", "from a distance", or "far away", depending on the context.

Is "afar" formal or informal?

"Afar" is considered a slightly more formal or archaic term. In most contemporary contexts, using phrases like "at a distance" or "from a distance" may sound more natural.