little further from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little further from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a small distance or degree away from a particular point or reference. Example: "The store is located a little further from the park than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The crowd at the Rose Haven bar is generally a little further from retirement.

The New York Times

But he also nudges filmmakers the other way, a little further from the mainstream.

The New York Times - Magazine

But more important, he said, "it will move the stores upmarket and put them a little further from Kohl's; those stores have everyone scared".

The New York Times

It's certainly not what the remain crowd wants but it moves Britain a little further from Europe while honoring this vote.

The New York Times

A body is needed to complete the investigation and it is supposedly to be found near a fountain beside a bridge not far from a lone tree situated a little further from the road.

The Guardian - Film

She came down hard on technology in a way that now seems perceptive, but she was a little further from the target in her imaginings of other potential challenges of the twenty-first century.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

And so I originally found this apartment complex because I was looking for a place that's a little further out from the campus and from the downtown area for a quieter place.

Cornell University

The second ambush was conducted a fortnight later and was set a little further downstream from the last one, this time by a platoon from C Company, occurring on 12 June 1965 and again resulting in heavy Indonesian casualties for no loss to the Australians.

Wikipedia

Past the town's cross-country skiing track, a little further on from an icy-looking pond peppered with hardy ducks, steam was rising from the valley floor.

Independent

Here are some recent humor titles a little further removed from politics.

The New York Times

Maybe he should try sitting a little further away from Humble.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little further from" to indicate a minor increase in physical or metaphorical distance. For example, "The new policy is a "little further from" our original goals, but still acceptable."

Common error

Be mindful of the distinction between "further" and "farther". While often interchangeable, "farther" is generally preferred for physical distances, and "further" for metaphorical or abstract distances. Choose based on context. Therefore, use "farther" if you are talking about physical space, and "further" when used figuratively, like "a "little further from" my goal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little further from" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a slight increase in distance or separation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to express that something is a small amount more distant.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

19%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little further from" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a slight increase in distance, either physically or metaphorically. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is suitable for neutral registers and finds frequent use in contexts like News & Media. Usage guidance advises attention to the choice between "further" and "farther", with "farther" generally reserved for physical distances. Related phrases offer options to modulate the degree of distance implied. The phrase's versatility and clear meaning contribute to its consistent usage across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more distant from

Emphasizes a small increase in distance, similar to the original phrase.

a bit farther from

Uses "farther" instead of "further", implying physical distance.

somewhat removed from

Indicates a degree of separation, not necessarily physical.

a little more remote from

Highlights isolation or inaccessibility.

marginally further from

Implies a very small increase in distance.

fractionally further from

Indicates a tiny, almost imperceptible difference in distance.

inches closer to

Expresses the opposite, moving closer instead of farther.

a tad more distant from

Uses "tad" to indicate a very small amount.

minimally separated from

Emphasizes a small separation.

a hair's breadth away from

Implies a very close distance, nearly the opposite of the original.

FAQs

How can I use "little further from" in a sentence?

You can use "little further from" to describe a slight increase in distance, either physical or metaphorical. For example: "The new house is a "little further from" the city center" or "The compromise is a "little further from" our initial demands".

What's a more formal way to say "little further from"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "slightly more distant from" or "somewhat removed from". These options convey a similar meaning with a more elevated register.

Is it grammatically correct to say "little farther from" instead of "little further from"?

While both "farther" and "further" can indicate distance, "farther" is typically used for physical distances, while "further" can refer to both physical and metaphorical distances. Depending on the context, "a bit farther from" might be appropriate if describing physical space.

What's the difference between "a "little further from"" and "much further from"?

"A "little further from"" indicates a small increase in distance, while "much further from" implies a significant or substantial increase in distance. The choice depends on the degree of separation you want to emphasize.