few strides away

USAGE SUMMARY

'few strides away' is correct and can be used in written English.
You would generally use this phrase to describe something that is very close to you. For example: "I could see the park just a few strides away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

From Saturday, delegates turning up at Lancaster House will be able to take in the views of the beach volleyball competition, taking place just a few strides away in Horse Guards Parade.

The Guardian - Business

With Konerko still a few strides away from the base, the ball took a bounce and Hosmer couldn't handle it cleanly with his glove.

Huffington Post

Start a few strides away from the ball, at a slight angle from the direction you want the chip to go.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And as one of Verdi's most popular operas "Rigoletto" has certainly been transplanted to new eras and new settings before, perhaps most famously in Jonathan Miller's celebrated and much-revived 1982 version for English National Opera, set in Little Italy in the 1950s — just a few stylistic strides away from Mr. Mayer's Las Vegas of the 1960s.

The New York Times - Arts

Matchbox "came again" after being overtaken and the colts raced together for a few strides before Ladas pulled away to win by one and a half lengths.

Wikipedia

Then a marvellous turnaround: within a few strides Paula regained the lead, then accelerated away to win by a street.

The Guardian - Sport

Highland Reel was in front within a few strides, and led Ectot as the field turned away from the stands with a circuit to run while Found raced much further back with only a couple of opponents behind her.

The Guardian - Sport

In most circumstances, a player might not shoot from so far away — Messier was just a few strides from his own net — but because the Devils were on a power play, the Rangers could fire at will since a short-handed team cannot be called for icing.

The New York Times - Sports

Have the horse walk out for a few strides, stop, and dismount.

WikiHow

After puzzling over his situation for a few strides, he then loped back toward the pack, eased out into lane three to pass them, and won going away.

The New Yorker

Long Run caught him a few strides from the line to win by a neck, with Grands Crus 14 lengths away in third place.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few strides away" to create a vivid image of nearness, making descriptions more engaging for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "few strides away" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise measurements or distances when accuracy is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few strides away" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by indicating the proximity or distance of something. It specifies that something is located a short distance from a particular point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "few strides away" is a grammatically correct and easily understood phrase used to indicate that something is nearby, according to Ludwig AI. While suitable for many contexts, especially in news, media, and informal settings, it may lack the precision needed in more formal or scientific writing. Alternatives like "nearby" or "within walking distance" can offer a similar meaning. Remember to use "few strides away" to create vivid imagery, but avoid overuse in contexts demanding exactness. This phrase is a useful tool for describing immediate proximity, enriching your descriptions with a sense of nearness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearby

Simply states that something is not far away.

a short distance away

Emphasizes the brevity of the distance separating two points.

just a step away

Emphasizes the minimal effort required to reach something.

just around the corner

Implies that something is very close and easily accessible.

within walking distance

Highlights the ease of reaching a destination by walking.

close at hand

Indicates that something is readily available or easily reached.

in close proximity

Formally indicates the state of being near in space or time.

in the vicinity

Indicates the general area or region surrounding a particular place.

a stone's throw away

Suggests something is so close that it could be reached with a short throw.

a hop, skip, and a jump away

Playfully indicates something is extremely close and easy to reach.

FAQs

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

You can use "few strides away" to describe something that is physically close. For example: "The entrance to the museum was just a "few strides away"."

What are some alternatives to "few strides away"?

Alternatives include "nearby", "within walking distance", or "just around the corner", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "few strides away" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "few strides away" is generally more suitable for informal or descriptive writing. Formal contexts may benefit from more precise language.

What does "few strides away" imply about the distance?

It suggests the distance is very short, easily covered in a small number of steps. The exact distance is subjective but implies immediate proximity.