few feet away

USAGE SUMMARY

"few feet away" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used to refer to physical distance between two people or objects. Example: The tall tree stood a few feet away from the fence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The artifact stood a few feet away.

The New Yorker

And I bunked a few feet away.

The New Yorker

They convened a few feet away.

The New Yorker

Officer Gentile was a few feet away.

The New York Times

Mahoney was a few feet away.

The New York Times - Sports

A few feet away was a greaseboard.

The Washington Post

Slotkin watched from a few feet away.

The Washington Post

I stopped a few feet away.

The New Yorker

The bat fell a few feet away.

The New York Times - Sports

Adolescent girls clustered a few feet away.

The New York Times

Death was a few feet away, somewhere.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few feet away" to provide a clear sense of spatial relation when the exact distance isn't critical but proximity is relevant. For example, "The witness stood a "few feet away", observing the scene."

Common error

Avoid using "few feet away" when precision is required. If the exact distance is known and important, use specific measurements like "three feet" or "ten feet" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few feet away" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate spatial proximity. It specifies a short distance separating two points or objects. Ludwig confirms the proper usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "few feet away" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a short distance between two points. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, offering a general sense of proximity without requiring precise measurement. While suitable for many situations, more specific language may be necessary for technical or scientific writing. Remember to use it when you want to convey that something is nearby, but the exact distance isn't critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of steps away

Specifies the distance in terms of steps.

a short distance away

Emphasizes the brevity of the separation.

nearby

A more concise way to indicate close proximity.

within close proximity

Highlights that something is very near.

in close range

Suggests that something is within reach or easily accessible.

just around the corner

Indicates a short distance, often implying convenience.

within viewing distance

Focuses on the ability to see something from a short distance.

a stone's throw away

An idiomatic expression denoting a very short distance.

a hop, skip, and a jump away

An informal way to express a short distance.

in the vicinity

Indicates that something is in the general area.

FAQs

How can I use "few feet away" in a sentence?

You can use "few feet away" to describe the proximity of one object or person to another, such as, "The getaway car was parked a "few feet away" from the bank entrance."

What are some alternatives to saying "few feet away"?

Alternatives include "nearby", "a short distance away", or "in close proximity", depending on the context.

When is it better to use a specific measurement instead of "few feet away"?

Use a specific measurement when accuracy is important. For example, instead of "The painting was hanging a "few feet away"", say "The painting was hanging three feet away" if the exact distance is relevant.

Is "few feet away" formal or informal?

"Few feet away" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more precise language might be preferred in highly formal or scientific writing.