how far away

USAGE SUMMARY

"how far away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to ask about distance or proximity in relation to a specific location or object. For example: - How far away is the nearest gas station? - I live in the city, but I often wonder how far away the countryside is. - Could you tell me how far away the movie theater is from here? - We could see the mountains in the distance, but I had no idea how far away they were. - I didn't realize how far away the beach was until I looked at a map.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

How far away is it?

The Guardian - Film

How far away is what?

The Guardian - Film

"How far away is Disneyland?

The New York Times

How far away is Kent?

The New York Times

But how far away are they?

The Guardian - Books

How far away is the ball?

The New York Times - Sports

How far away is the rest of the world?

The New Yorker

The site even calculates how "far away" each discussion is.

The Economist

How far away were they from the shooting?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

How far away is India?

Huffington Post

-How far away were seismic waves from this earthquake felt?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how far away" in writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what the distance is being measured from. For example, specify "how far away is the city center from the airport?" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "how far away" without specifying what the distance is relative to. Saying just "How far away is it?" can be ambiguous. Instead, provide a reference point, such as "How far away is it from the train station?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how far away" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase, typically introducing a question about the distance between two points. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is commonly used in various contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its utility in seeking information about physical distances or conceptual distances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

21%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how far away" is a very common interrogative phrase used to inquire about the distance between two points, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical function is to introduce a question, and its communicative purpose is to obtain information about proximity or separation. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. The phrase is versatile and widely understood, but clarity is crucial; always specify what the distance is being measured from. By understanding its function and usage, writers can effectively incorporate "how far away" into their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the distance

Focuses on the measurement of separation between two points.

how distant is it

Emphasizes the remoteness of a location or object.

what is the proximity

Highlights the nearness or closeness of something.

what is the range

Refers to the extent or scope of distance.

how remote is it

Implies isolation and lack of accessibility.

how much separation is there

Focuses on the degree of separateness.

what is the interval

Implies a measurable space or gap.

how close is it

Highlights the immediate vicinity or accessibility.

what's the spacing

Emphasizes the arrangement of elements in relation to each other.

how nearby is it

Stresses the ease of access due to closeness.

FAQs

How can I use "how far away" in a sentence?

You can use "how far away" to ask about the distance between two points or locations. For example, "How far away is the moon?" or "How far away is the restaurant from here?"

What are some alternatives to asking "how far away"?

Instead of "how far away", you could ask "what is the distance", "how distant is it", or "what is the proximity" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "how far is it" or "how far away is it"?

"How far is it" is generally more concise and commonly used. "How far away is it" can be used for emphasis or when the context implies a sense of remoteness or difficulty in reaching the destination.

How do I determine the correct preposition to use with "how far away"?

The preposition depends on what you're measuring the distance from. For example, "How far away is the store from my house?" uses "from". If you're measuring to a location, you might say, "How far away is it to the beach?"