further afield

USAGE SUMMARY

"further afield" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a more distant location or to a different topic. For example: "If we want to find more options, we should look further afield."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But she's not afraid to incorporate flavors from further afield.

Los Angeles Times

Further afield?

Independent

How about further afield?

The Guardian - Travel

Some have gone further afield.

The Economist

This season goes further afield.

The New York Times - Arts

And further afield, in Britain?

The Guardian

Soon, people were coming from further afield.

Independent

"The specials will go further afield".

The New York Times

We tried to bring them further afield.

The Guardian

And there are options further afield.

The Guardian

But what about volcanic explosions further afield?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "further afield" when you want to suggest expanding the scope of a search, investigation, or exploration, either geographically or conceptually. For example, "If local suppliers can't meet our needs, we may need to look further afield."

Common error

Avoid using "further afield" when a simpler term like "farther" or "beyond" would suffice. "Further afield" implies a deliberate widening of scope, not just a general distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "further afield" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate direction or scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes moving or searching beyond the immediate or local area. It's used to express the idea of expanding one's horizons or looking for options in more distant places.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Travel

10%

Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "further afield" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that signifies the act of extending one's search or exploration beyond the immediate vicinity or initial focus. As Ludwig highlights, it is used to convey a deliberate widening of scope, whether in geographical or conceptual terms. Commonly found in news and media, as well as travel and business contexts, this phrase offers a nuanced way to suggest exploring options beyond the obvious or local. When using "further afield", it's important to consider the context and ensure that it aligns with the intended meaning of expanding horizons rather than simply indicating distance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to more far-flung places

Emphasizes the exotic or unusual nature of the destinations.

to more remote areas

Stresses the isolation of the places considered.

to farther regions

Highlights the remoteness of the areas.

to more distant locations

Focuses on multiple remote places.

to more extended locations

Emphasizes the reach and spread of the destinations.

to a greater distance

Emphasizes the physical distance involved.

to more expansive areas

Highlights the size and scope of the new locations.

to wider territories

Suggests expanding into larger geographical zones.

to broader horizons

Implies exploring more diverse opportunities or ideas.

to other areas

A general term referring to moving away from the current location.

FAQs

How can I use "further afield" in a sentence?

You can use "further afield" to indicate exploring options beyond the immediate vicinity or initial focus. For instance, "If we can't find the parts we need locally, we'll have to search "further afield"."

What are some alternatives to "further afield"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "more distant locations", "farther regions", or "more remote areas" instead of "further afield".

Is it always necessary to specify a geographical location when using "further afield"?

No, "further afield" can also refer to exploring ideas or options that are conceptually distant from the initial subject. For example, "The research took her "further afield" into related areas of study."

How does "further afield" differ from simply saying "farther away"?

"Further afield" usually suggests a more deliberate and expansive search or exploration, whereas "farther away" simply indicates a greater physical distance. The former implies a widening of scope, not just location.