far afield from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far afield from" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means "distant from" or "far away from." You can use it to describe something that is physically or figuratively far away from something else. Example: "Her opinions were far afield from the mainstream views of society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Yorio's career had been far afield from farming.

The New York Times

Such cases, lawyers say, are far afield from what the child pornography laws were intended for.

The New York Times

It may be that issues far afield from Russia ultimately do Trump in.

The Washington Post

And that's where the similarity with industries far afield from professional baseball comes in.

The New York Times

"And it seems far afield from the mission of homeland security".

The New York Times

The topics covered often range quite far afield from the specific allegations in the case.

The New York Times

I realize, however, that I have wandered a bit far afield from my original purpose.

The New York Times - Tech

Relatively few universities are involved in businesses that are far afield from the basic academic mission".

The New York Times - Arts

The Shot Heard 'Round the World reverberated far afield from the Polo Grounds.

The New York Times - Sports

Granted, their upbringing here is far afield from mine on an Oregon farm.

The New York Times

"Nothing we've planned is too far afield from our core business".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far afield from" to indicate that something is not closely related or relevant to the topic at hand. It can add emphasis to the degree of separation or irrelevance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "far afield from" in highly informal conversations can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not related to" or "off-topic" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far afield from" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate something is distant, unrelated, or irrelevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted. Examples in Ludwig show it describing topics, ideas, and even physical locations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far afield from" is a commonly used and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that indicates something is distant, unrelated, or irrelevant. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and frequently used in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. While versatile, remember to consider the formality of your context. Ludwig's examples show that while it is acceptable in most situations, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal conversations. For those seeking alternatives, phrases like "distant from", "unrelated to", and "off-topic" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distant from

Indicates a separation in space, time, or relationship, but may not always imply deviation from a specific point.

remote from

Emphasizes inaccessibility or isolation, suggesting a greater separation.

removed from

Highlights the state of being separated or disconnected, often implying a deliberate action.

deviating from

Specifically indicates a departure from a standard or expected path.

straying from

Suggests a wandering or unintentional departure, often from a prescribed course.

divergent from

Implies a branching off or moving in a different direction, often in ideas or opinions.

unrelated to

Highlights the lack of connection or relevance between two things.

irrelevant to

Emphasizes the lack of importance or applicability to a particular matter.

beside the point

Indicates that something is not pertinent or germane to the current discussion.

off-topic

Directly states that something is not relevant to the current subject.

FAQs

How can I use "far afield from" in a sentence?

You can use "far afield from" to indicate that something is distant or irrelevant to a particular topic or situation. For example, "His political views are "far a field from" the mainstream."

What are some alternatives to "far afield from"?

Some alternatives include "distant from", "unrelated to", "irrelevant to", or "off-topic", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "far afield from" or "far removed from"?

Both "far afield from" and "far removed from" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Far afield from" suggests a greater degree of irrelevance or deviation, while "far removed from" emphasizes separation or disconnection. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

Can "far afield from" be used to describe physical distance?

While primarily used to describe conceptual or abstract distance, "far afield from" can also be used to describe physical distance, although it's less common. For instance, "The remote cabin was "far a field from" any town."