few steps away

USAGE SUMMARY

"few steps away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a certain distance from something. For example, "The grocery store is just a few steps away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Death is a few steps away.

The New York Times - Arts

A few steps away, Vincent D.

The New York Times

"But we are still a few steps away from that".

The New York Times

Iceland's Central Bank was just a few steps away.

The New Yorker

We've taken a few steps away from depression lately.

The New York Times

Ramírez was still a few steps away from the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

But another music factory is a few steps away.

The New York Times

And the cliff edge was only a few steps away.

The Guardian

There's a beautiful rocky beach just a few steps away.

The Guardian - Travel

A few steps away is the beautifully restored carousel.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He has to take a few steps away from the basket to gather it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few steps away" to clearly indicate a short distance, enhancing the reader's understanding of spatial relationships in your writing.

Common error

Remember that "few" implies a small number but can sometimes carry a negative connotation (almost none), while "a few" is generally positive. If you want to emphasize the shortness of the distance in a positive way, "a few steps away" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few steps away" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or describing the location of a noun. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few steps away" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express that something is located close by. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, you can use it to effectively convey proximity and convenience. Remember to consider whether "few" or "a few" better suits the intended tone. While alternatives like "nearby" or "within walking distance" exist, "few steps away" provides a specific sense of closeness that can be very effective. Overall, it's a reliable and versatile phrase to have in your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short distance away

A more literal description of physical distance.

nearby

A simple and direct way to indicate that something is not far.

within walking distance

Emphasizes the ease of reaching a location by walking.

a short walk

Focuses on the walking aspect to arrive at the location.

just around the corner

Suggests a very short distance and potential ease of access.

a stone's throw away

Implies a short distance, using a traditional measurement.

in close proximity

A more formal way of indicating nearness.

within reach

Focuses on the accessibility of something, either literally or figuratively.

in the vicinity

Suggests a general area or region rather than a precise location.

just a hop, skip, and jump away

An informal and playful way to indicate a very short distance.

FAQs

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

You can use "few steps away" to describe something that is located very close to something else. For example, "The beach is just a few steps away from the hotel".

What are some alternatives to "few steps away"?

Some alternatives to "few steps away" include "nearby", "within walking distance", and "just around the corner".

Is it correct to say "a few steps away" instead of "few steps away"?

Both "few steps away" and "a few steps away" are grammatically correct. However, "a few steps away" might sound slightly more positive, as "a few" generally implies a small but sufficient amount.

What's the difference between "few steps away" and "several steps away"?

"Few steps away" implies a smaller number of steps than "several steps away". "Several" suggests more than a few, but still not a large number.