farther off

USAGE SUMMARY

"farther off" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is farther away in distance. For example: "The town we are visiting is five miles farther off than the town we just left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A local television truck idles farther off.

The New Yorker

Laid out farther off, an adolescent girl.

The New Yorker

Mr. Keller couldn't possibly be farther off the mark.

The New York Times

The farther off a galaxy was, the faster it retreated.

The Economist

Farther off, the panorama embraces the surrounding countryside.

The Guardian

Sculpture, as we know, has been knocked much farther off its pedestal than that.

The New York Times

His 1st play "Farther Off From Heaven," was produced in Dallas; he plans to rewrite it.

The New Yorker

The water was simply too strong, climbing farther off the banks than anyone had thought possible.

The New York Times

Our parents will die, and farther off, ideally deferred, will come our own steady demise.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

There is even the farther-off prospect of cars that do not need anyone behind the wheel.

The New York Times - Science

But sensitivity increases over time to compensate for a later, weaker return signal from a farther-off target.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "farther off" to describe temporal distance, ensure the context clearly indicates a future point in time rather than physical distance. For instance, "That deadline is still farther off than we initially thought."

Common error

Avoid using "further off" when you mean physical distance; "farther" specifically refers to physical distance, while "further" refers to metaphorical or figurative distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "farther off" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to indicate a greater distance, either physical or metaphorical. Ludwig confirms that it’s grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "farther off" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote greater distance, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and it enjoys widespread usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. When writing, remember that "farther" should be used for physical distances, and avoid confusing it with "further". Alternatives like "more distant" or "further away" can be used for variety. This phrase effectively conveys the idea of increased remoteness or temporal extension, making it a valuable tool in descriptive and informative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more distant

Directly replaces "farther off" with a simpler term.

further away

Synonymous with "farther off", using different wording.

more remote

Emphasizes the inaccessibility or isolation of something.

at a greater distance

A more formal and descriptive way to express the idea of distance.

beyond the horizon

Suggests a distance that is not immediately visible.

in the distance

Highlights that something is not nearby but still visible.

down the road

Colloquial way to indicate a future point in time or space.

in the long run

Focuses on something happening at a later, unspecified time.

at a remove

Suggests a separation or detachment.

off in the future

Emphasizes that something is expected to happen sometime later.

FAQs

How can I use "farther off" in a sentence?

You can use "farther off" to describe something physically more distant, like "The island was much farther off than we anticipated", or something temporally more distant, like "The completion date is farther off than initially planned".

What's a good alternative to "farther off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "more distant", "further away", or "more remote".

Is it correct to use "farther off" to refer to time?

Yes, "farther off" can refer to temporal distance, meaning something will happen later in the future. For example, "Retirement seems farther off now than it did a few years ago".

What is the difference between "farther off" and "further off"?

"Farther off" typically refers to physical distance, while "further off" is used for non-physical or metaphorical distances. However, in modern usage, "further off" is often accepted for both, though "farther off" is generally preferred when referring to actual physical distance.