far distances

USAGE SUMMARY

"far distances" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to long distances or distances that are far away. Example: The marathon runner trained hard to improve her endurance for running far distances.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their remains gathered from far distances to start again.

The New York Times

Those windows will draw the eye to the middle and far distances, the views you want.

The New York Times

It's -- otherwise when you transport refined product from far distances it doesn't meet market tests.

The New York Times

"It can follow an individual, or follow a car, at very far distances".

The New Yorker

One new artificial lens mimics a healthy 20-year-old's ability to see at both near and far distances.

The New York Times

Then a couple of years ago, although he could still see clearly at far distances, the sphere of blurriness started expanding outward.

The New York Times - Health

Wyndham's evocation of David's ability to communicate at far distances with his friends left me, as a child, reeling with envy and desire; I remember sitting in the library, "sending out" thoughts in the hope that someone, somewhere might catch them.

The Guardian - Books

Now add into the mix an urban workforce sending cash far distances to dependents living in rural areas.

TechCrunch

Only a well-designed HSR approach will be able to provide quantitative soil property maps from such far distances.

Advances in Agronomy

This pilot study suggests that videoconferencing-based CBT is a promising method to bring appropriate treatment to thousands who live far distances from well-trained therapists.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

In the far zone (beyond 60 m from the car), road lighting is dominant, increasing the visibility of the road surface at far distances.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing travel or movement, use "far distances" to emphasize the length or difficulty of the journey. For example, "Migratory birds often fly far distances to find suitable breeding grounds."

Common error

Avoid using "far distances" when you actually mean "farther distances" (comparative, physical distance) or "further distances" (figurative distance or advancement). For instance, "They walked farther distances each day to prepare for the marathon" is correct when referring to physical distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far distances" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent of the distances being referred to. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far distances" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight significant spatial separation. As Ludwig AI has stated, it is correct and usable in English. While it appears across diverse contexts, it is prevalent in science and news media. When writing, be mindful of the slight redundancy of phrases like "very far distances" and choose "far distances" over "farther/further distances" unless a direct comparison is intended. Consider using "long distances", "great distances", or "remote distances" as suitable alternatives, depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long distances

Replaces "far" with "long", emphasizing the extent of the distance.

remote distances

Substitutes "far" with "remote", highlighting the inaccessibility.

great distances

Uses "great" instead of "far" to emphasize the magnitude of the distances.

extensive distances

Employs "extensive" to underline the breadth of the distances.

considerable distances

Replaces "far" with "considerable", implying a noteworthy separation.

significant distances

Uses "significant" to denote the importance of the length.

substantial distances

Employs "substantial" to indicate a large quantity of distance.

lengthy distances

Substitutes "far" with "lengthy", emphasizing the duration it would take to traverse.

wide expanses

Shifts the focus to the area covered, rather than the direct distance.

distant reaches

Emphasizes the destinations being far off and difficult to reach.

FAQs

How can I use "far distances" in a sentence?

You can use "far distances" to describe the length between two points, such as "The signal can travel "far distances" across the open ocean".

What are some alternatives to "far distances"?

Alternatives include "long distances", "remote distances", or "great distances". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very far distances"?

While not strictly incorrect, "very far distances" can be seen as slightly redundant. Using "considerable distances" or simply "far distances" often suffices.

Does "far distances" always refer to physical space?

While primarily used for physical space, "far distances" can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe differences in opinion or understanding, although this is less common. In most cases, stick to using it to describe physical lengths.