Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

m away from

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "m away from" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be a truncated version of a phrase, likely intended to convey a distance or separation. Example: "I live 5 miles away from the nearest grocery store."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The landslide is only 300 m away from Shazhenxi Town.

The FC is located 500 m away from the source.

The study site consisted of three water tanks, dug 1.5 m away from the shoreline.

The study site consists of three water tanks, buried inland, 1.5 m away from the shoreline.

Beavers significantly reduced forest canopy up to 30 m away from streams, essentially eliminating riparian forests.

For the experimentally obtained results, a passive tag was placed 1 m away from the receiver, and the tag antenna was placed 5 m away from the receiver.

The last location was 1 m away from the last sensor in the line of sensors.

The second monitoring station was 15 m away from the first station.

The oil tanks were only 5 m away from the head scarp (Fig. 5).

Pollen was collected from plants 3 m away from the recipient plant.

The coil is located 3 m away from the data logger.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always specify the unit of measurement (e.g., meters, kilometers) completely to avoid ambiguity. Use "meters away from" instead of "m away from."

Common error

Avoid abbreviating "meters" to "m" in formal writing when expressing distance; always spell it out to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

71%

Authority and reliability

3.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "m away from" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating spatial separation. As noted by Ludwig AI, the usage is grammatically questionable due to the abbreviation. Many examples on Ludwig AI, however, use this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

Wiki

32%

News & Media

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "m away from" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate spatial distance. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable due to the abbreviation of "meters". While it appears frequently across various sources, especially Science and Wiki, its use should be approached with caution in formal writing. Always use the full unit name (meters) instead of the abbreviation in formal contexts. When in doubt, consider using alternatives like "meters from" for brevity or "meters distant from" for formality.

FAQs

How should I correctly express distance in writing?

Always use the full unit name, such as "meters" or "kilometers", instead of abbreviations like "m" or "km". For example, use "10 meters away from" instead of "10 m away from".

What are some alternatives to saying "m away from"?

While "m away from" is technically incorrect, you can use phrases like "meters distant from", "meters apart from", or simply "meters from".

Is it acceptable to use "m away from" in informal writing?

While it may be understood in informal contexts, it is best practice to use the full unit name ("meters") even in informal writing to maintain clarity. Avoid it in formal and academic contexts.

Why is using the full unit name important when expressing distance?

Using the full unit name (e.g., "meters", "kilometers") reduces ambiguity and ensures clear communication, especially in scientific, technical, or formal writing. It helps prevent misinterpretations and maintains professionalism.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

71%

Authority and reliability

3.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: