mere feet

USAGE SUMMARY

'mere feet' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could write: "The mountain that had taken days to climb was scaled in mere feet by the experienced climber."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mere feet away, the black lake glowed in the moonlight.

The New York Times - Travel

When she spoke, even though she was mere feet away, I could barely hear her.

The New Yorker

It is mere feet from the building's entrance, so they hear neighbors entering and exiting.

The New York Times

Supporters packed into the stands — mere feet from the playing field — well before kickoff.

The New York Times - Sports

He was mere feet from me, and my hands began to shake.

The New Yorker

I want to say hi to my neighbor, mere feet from me, but I cannot speak.

The New Yorker

But those warnings "could not be heard mere feet away," the suit says.

The New York Times

"There was something unsettling about seeing gravestones mere feet from the window," Mr. Haggerty said.

The New York Times

Then, it was Verón getting tripped up by Rowe mere feet from head official Hilario Grejada.

The Guardian - Sport

Try the chef's table in the kitchen area, mere feet from where dishes are prepared and plated.

The New York Times - Travel

Three-year-old Victoria Brailey — emaciated, lesions circling her scalp — stood in her crib, mere feet from a corpse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "mere feet" with sensory details (sight, sound, smell) to enhance the reader's experience and create a vivid image.

Common error

Avoid using "mere feet" when a more precise measurement is required, or in technical contexts. It's best suited for descriptive writing where the exact distance isn't crucial but the sense of proximity is.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mere feet" is to serve as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically describing the distance between two objects or locations. It emphasizes the proximity, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mere feet" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize a very short distance between two objects or locations. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to highlight proximity and often creates a sense of tension, surprise, or irony. When writing, use "mere feet" to add emphasis and vividness to your descriptions, but avoid it in technical contexts where precise measurements are required. Remember that the strength of this phrase lies in its ability to evoke a strong sense of nearness and potential impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within inches

Emphasizes an even smaller distance, suggesting near-touching.

within arm's reach

Implies that something is easily accessible.

just a few steps away

Uses steps as a unit of measurement, implying a walkable distance.

a short distance away

Describes a general proximity, less precise than "mere feet".

a stone's throw away

Indicates a short distance, often used figuratively.

in close proximity

Highlights the nearness but is more formal.

a hop, skip, and a jump away

A playful way to suggest very short distance.

within spitting distance

An informal way to express very close proximity.

nearby

A simple and general term for being close.

in the vicinity

A more formal way of saying nearby.

FAQs

How can I use "mere feet" in a sentence?

Use "mere feet" to describe a very short distance between two things, often to create emphasis or a sense of irony. For example, "The bomb detonated "mere feet" from the building entrance."

What phrases are similar to "mere feet"?

Similar phrases include "within inches", "a stone's throw away", and "within arm's reach", all suggesting a short distance.

Is "mere feet" a formal or informal expression?

"Mere feet" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and formal contexts, though it is more common in descriptive writing than in technical reports. Its impact comes from emphasizing proximity.

What does "mere" emphasize in the phrase "mere feet"?

The word "mere" emphasizes how surprisingly short the distance is. It implies that the small distance is significant or unexpected in the given context. The use of "mere" highlights a sense of irony or drama.