five miles apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "five miles apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the distance between two locations or objects that are separated by that specific measurement. Example: "The two towns are five miles apart, making it easy to travel between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The airports are about five miles apart.

The New York Times

The cages were five miles apart along the river.

The New Yorker

The huts, which sleep eight, are about five miles apart.

The New York Times - Travel

Whale detection: Ten whale detection buoys are spaced five miles apart in Massachusetts Bay.

MIT Technology Review

Trumbull borders Bridgeport; the centers of the two places are five miles apart.

The New York Times

Dennis Dawson, an astronomy professor, is director of the observatories, which are five miles apart.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The islands are two miles apart.

The New York Times

The schools are two miles apart in northern Brooklyn.

The New York Times

The Associated Press reports that the attacks happened approximately two miles apart.

The Washington Post

Shell's wells are only nine miles apart.

The Washington Post

In 2003, the planets were around 34.8 million miles apart.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing distances in formal writing, ensure that "five miles apart" is followed by a clear explanation of what is being measured. For instance, "The two cities are "five miles apart", connected by a scenic highway."

Common error

Avoid using "five miles apart" without specifying the units of measurement. Saying "The buildings are five apart" lacks clarity. Instead, provide context: "The buildings are "five miles apart"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "five miles apart" functions as an adverbial phrase of distance, modifying a verb or clause to specify the spatial separation between two or more entities. Ludwig's examples illustrate this function, describing the gap between locations, objects, or points.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "five miles apart" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the distance between two objects, locations, or points. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English. Its frequency and appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic publications highlight its widespread acceptance and utility. While there aren't significant risks in using the phrase, clarity can be improved by including the subject to which the "five miles apart" refers. Alternatives such as "separated by five miles" or "five-mile distance" can be used for variety, but "five miles apart" remains a clear and effective choice in most contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separated by five miles

Changes the structure to emphasize the action of separation.

five-mile distance

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase indicating the length of the gap.

a five-mile separation

Uses a noun to describe the gap, highlighting the spatial distance.

at a distance of five miles

Adds a prepositional phrase to specify the length of space.

spaced five miles from each other

Highlights the positioning of objects in relation to one another.

located five miles away

Specifies the position of something, indicating a spatial gap.

five miles distant

Replaces 'apart' with a synonym, indicating the length between locations.

with a five-mile gap

Focuses on the gap itself, describing the spatial length between entities.

lying five miles from each other

Emphasizes the spatial relationship, focusing on the placement of objects.

extending five miles in separation

Describes the length of an extension or an interval between locations.

FAQs

How can I use "five miles apart" in a sentence?

You can use "five miles apart" to describe the distance between two locations, objects, or points. For example: "The two towns are "five miles apart"", or "The whale detection buoys are spaced "five miles apart" in Massachusetts Bay."

What phrases are similar to "five miles apart"?

Similar phrases include "separated by five miles", "five-mile distance", or "located five miles away". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "five mile apart"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "five miles apart", with the plural "miles" because it refers to a quantity greater than one.

What contexts is "five miles apart" commonly used in?

The phrase "five miles apart" is commonly used in contexts related to geography, urban planning, and travel to describe the distance between places or objects. It is frequently found in "news and media", "academia", and "formal and business" settings.