come from afar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come from afar" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone or something is from a distant or faraway place. For example, "The ancient warriors came from afar to challenge the kingdom's mightiest soldier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

I don't expect comfort to come from afar.

The New York Times

People come from afar to study here, and our students learn and grow through international travel.

Yale University

"It has always come from afar, but it is part of our identity".

The New York Times

"People were raging after spending £67 each on tickets, lots had come from afar and booked hotels too.

Independent

The once insular country now actively encourages tourism, and travelers come from afar to enjoy its hospitality and unspoiled landscapes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If there are still questions, they come from afar, from rugby exporting countries such as New Zealand.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It came from afar.

The New Yorker

I came from afar just to say bonsoir!

The New Yorker

"People were coming from afar for a ruckus.

The Guardian

He doesn't want to see anything coming from afar.

The New York Times - Magazine

"To my people, this means the river coming from afar, from among the mountains.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come from afar" to add a sense of exoticism or significance to the origin of something. For example, "The spices came from afar, bringing unique flavors to the dish."

Common error

Avoid using "come from afar" when a simple indication of origin is sufficient. Overusing it can sound pretentious or unnecessarily dramatic. For example, instead of saying "The milk came from afar" when referring to a local farm, just state the farm's name.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come from afar" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating origin or provenance from a distant location. It often adds emphasis or significance to the source, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come from afar" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase, denoting origin from a distant place. According to Ludwig, it effectively conveys a sense of remoteness or exoticism, often utilized in neutral to formal registers. While mostly used in news and media, academic contexts show some occurrences, proving the multi-faceted usage of this phrase. When writing, remember to use this phrase appropriately, ensuring the context warrants the emphasis on distance and avoid unnecessary overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come from a faraway land

Highlights that something or someone is coming from another land.

originate from a distance

Focuses on the origin being geographically far.

hail from a faraway place

Emphasizes the place of origin as remote and possibly exotic.

stem from a remote location

Highlights the source as being isolated or inaccessible.

be a long way off

Indicates the distance is considerable and focuses on the spatial separation.

emanate from a distant source

Implies the origin is not only far but also the source of something intangible.

be from a foreign land

Highlights the origin as a different country or culture.

arrive from a great distance

Focuses on the act of traveling a long distance to arrive.

be of distant origin

Emphasizes the historical or ancestral origin being far removed.

be imported from abroad

Specifically indicates the origin is from another country and involves importation.

FAQs

How can I use "come from afar" in a sentence?

You can use "come from afar" to describe something or someone originating from a distant location, like, "The rare artifacts "came from afar", enriching the museum's collection."

What are some alternatives to "come from afar"?

Instead of "come from afar", you might use phrases like "originate from a distance", "hail from a faraway place", or "stem from a remote location", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "came from afar"?

Yes, "came from afar" is grammatically correct. It's the past tense form of "come from afar" and is used to describe something that originated from a distant place in the past.

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

"Come from afar" is the base form of the verb, while "coming from afar" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses. For example, "Pilgrims "coming from afar" visit the holy site every year."