mere feet away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere feet away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very short distance between two objects or locations, emphasizing how close they are to each other. Example: "The park is mere feet away from my house, making it easy for me to go for a walk every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 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

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

The New York Times

I eventually entered the living room, and sat down in the middle of the floor, mere feet away from you, and watched you kiss her.

The New Yorker

Explosives detonate — at one point, it seems, mere feet away — and sirens wail, but to the children and their caregivers a looming eviction is every bit as terrifying.

The New York Times

It can be tough to keep a work/life balance, especially when the project you're working on is mere feet away, but you'll go crazy if you don't.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

An hour ago they were in the hills, But now they graze a mere five feet away, Their world othered by these austere windows.

The New Yorker

It's smack in the middle of the city's upscale Sanlitun neighborhood, which means that retail therapy is a mere few feet away.

The New York Times - Travel

Many of these places have big windows that look right into the side of Libeskind's crystalline shards, a mere fifty feet away.

The New Yorker

Poetry by Rowan Ricardo Phillips: "An hour ago they were in the hills, / But now they graze a mere five feet away…" For once, I slept and you watched.

The New Yorker

Our eyes followed his gaze and all froze on the head of a seven-foot-long alligator a mere 20 feet away.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere feet away" to emphasize the surprising or significant closeness of two things. For example, "The explosion occurred mere feet away from the school."

Common error

Avoid using "mere feet away" in technical documents where precise measurements are needed. Use specific numerical values instead for clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere feet away" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the proximity of something. It specifies the distance involved, often emphasizing how close something is in relation to something else. As stated in the Ludwig AI response, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Travel

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Film

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mere feet away" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the close proximity of two objects or locations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in various contexts. Its primary function is to highlight nearness, often to create a sense of surprise or impact. While it appears in numerous sources, it is most frequently found in News & Media and travel contexts. For more precise descriptions in technical writing, consider using numerical measurements instead. Related alternatives include "a short distance away" and "only a few steps away".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a few steps away

This alternative is more literal, emphasizing the small number of steps required to traverse the distance.

a short distance away

This alternative is less emphatic and more general.

within close proximity

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes closeness.

practically next door

This alternative is more specific, implying adjacent locations.

just around the corner

This alternative is more idiomatic and suggests convenience.

in close range

This alternative emphasizes the ability to interact or affect something.

in the immediate vicinity

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the surrounding area.

a stone's throw away

This alternative is idiomatic and implies a short, easily traversable distance.

within spitting distance

This alternative is informal and exaggerates closeness.

close at hand

This alternative suggests readiness and availability.

FAQs

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

Use "mere feet away" to emphasize the proximity of two objects or locations. For example, "The finish line was "only a few steps away", but he couldn't muster the strength to reach it."

What are some alternatives to "mere feet away"?

You can use alternatives such as "a short distance away", "within close proximity", or "just around the corner" depending on the context.

Is "mere feet away" a formal or informal expression?

"Mere feet away" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly technical or scientific writing, more precise measurements are preferred.

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

The word "mere" emphasizes that the distance is surprisingly or insignificantly small. It suggests that the closeness is noteworthy or unexpected.