days away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "days away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is scheduled to take place very soon. For example, "The concert is only two days away from now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Well, we're two days away from turkey day, and Diaspora has delivered this time.

TechCrunch

England are five days away from glory.

Independent

He was days away from reopening.

The New Yorker

We are only days away from the launch of ReGen18!

University of California, Berkeley

"He was a couple of days away from leaving.

The New York Times - Sports

But I am now days away from my coverage ending.

The New York Times

And we're only 44 days away from Halloween!

The Guardian - Music

In 2004 I was two days away from going under.

The Guardian

They may be days away from losing another.

The New York Times - Sports

She was nine days away from her 13th birthday.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We are, I think, days away from an agreement".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "days away from" to create a sense of anticipation or urgency when discussing upcoming events, deadlines, or milestones. For example, "The deadline is only a few "days away from" now, so be sure to submit your application soon."

Common error

Avoid using "days away from" in contexts where more precise timeframes are needed or when the event is significantly far off. Using "weeks" or "months away from" would be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "days away from" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the temporal proximity of an event or state. It emphasizes how close something is to happening. Ludwig confirms this pattern with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "days away from" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the temporal proximity of an event or state. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, with a neutral tone that fits both formal and informal communication. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media, Academia and Wiki articles. While the phrase is appropriate for most situations, it's essential to consider whether a more precise timeframe would be more suitable. Using alternatives like "approaching" or "nearing" can also add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just around the corner

Emphasizes the proximity of the event even more.

around the corner

Suggests an event is very close in time or distance.

fast approaching

Highlights how rapidly the event is getting closer.

nearing

Focuses on the approach of an event, omitting the specific timeframe.

approaching

Similar to "nearing", but may imply a more gradual process.

imminent

Indicates something is about to happen, with a sense of urgency.

close at hand

Indicates that something is easily accessible or will happen very soon.

on the horizon

Suggests an event is coming, often used for more distant or uncertain events.

in the offing

Similar to "on the horizon", but can also imply planning or anticipation.

forthcoming

Highlights the fact that something will happen, but does not highlight the urgency or proximity.

FAQs

How can I use "days away from" in a sentence?

You can use "days away from" to indicate the proximity of an event. For example: "The launch is only a few "days away from" now" or "We are just "days away from" the holidays".

What is a good alternative to "days away from"?

Alternatives include "approaching", "nearing", or "around the corner", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "day away from" instead of "days away from"?

While grammatically "day away from" can be correct when referring to a single day, "days away from" is used more broadly to refer to a period of a few days. If you are referring to something happening exactly one day in the future, you might say "one day away".

What's the difference between "days away from" and "weeks away from"?

"Days away from" implies a shorter timeframe than "weeks away from". Use "days" when the event is less than a week away, and "weeks" when it's further out.