not even remotely close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not even remotely close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is far from being accurate or similar to what is being compared. Example: "When it comes to the final score, our predictions were not even remotely close."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

O.K., so that is not even remotely close to the truth.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not even remotely close physically to what it used to be," Esiason said.

The New York Times

Their homes in the movie look like fake-swank hotels, not even remotely close to the style created by Renzo Mongiardino.

The New York Times

"We're not even remotely close to knowing how to screen women of average risk with these tests, or even if we should," he said.

The New York Times

We are not in a depression, and we are not even remotely close to the pain and misery of the Great Depression.

The New York Times

It's not even remotely close.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It isn't even remotely close today".

The New York Times - Sports

Any gains made in recent years do not come even remotely close to closing that gap.

The New York Times - Books

The moment you unearth statistics and follow the money it's very clear women have not been even remotely close to equal with men from the day this country began.

Huffington Post

Smith compares it to the technology in a surgeon's operating room: while it makes certain tasks easier and safer, it does not come even remotely close to getting rid of the need for the surgeon.

Huffington Post

Such interventions are not, of course, even remotely close to some kind of 'good pill' that would make us more virtuous.

Bioethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not even remotely close" to emphasize a significant discrepancy or difference, making your point more impactful.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "not even remotely close" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "entirely dissimilar" or "bears no resemblance to" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not even remotely close" functions as an intensifier, modifying an adjective or adverb to strongly emphasize the lack of proximity or similarity. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage to highlight significant discrepancies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not even remotely close" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize a significant difference or lack of resemblance. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent appearance in News & Media, Science, and other contexts. While generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "entirely dissimilar" in academic or highly professional settings. Remember to use the phrase to create impact and highlight substantial discrepancies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nowhere near

Emphasizes the distance or difference between two things; slightly less formal.

not in the same ballpark

An idiomatic expression indicating a large difference in magnitude or quality.

a far cry from

Highlights the contrast between two things, often with a sense of disappointment.

not even in the vicinity of

Stresses that something is not near or approximate to something else.

worlds apart

Emphasizes a significant difference between two distinct entities or situations.

poles apart

Suggests two things are diametrically opposed or completely dissimilar.

completely different

A straightforward way to state that two things have no shared qualities.

entirely dissimilar

A formal way of saying that two things are not alike in any way.

bears no resemblance to

Highlights the lack of any similarity between two subjects.

distinct from

Indicates a clear and obvious difference between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "not even remotely close" in a sentence?

You can use "not even remotely close" to emphasize that something is far from being accurate or similar to what is being compared. For example: "The actual cost was "nowhere near" what we estimated; it wasn't even remotely close."

What's a less informal alternative to "not even remotely close"?

For more formal writing, you could use phrases like "entirely dissimilar", "bears no resemblance to", or "distinct from". These options provide a more professional tone while conveying a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "not even remotely close" in professional communication?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience and the context. In highly formal or academic settings, alternatives such as "entirely dissimilar" or "bears no resemblance to" may be more suitable.

What can I say instead of "not even remotely close"?

You can use alternatives like "nowhere near", "not in the same ballpark", or "a far cry from" depending on the context.