not far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not far" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a short distance or proximity to a location or point in time. Example: "The store is not far from my house, so I can walk there in just a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not far!

Forbes

It's not far away.

The New York Times

He's not far wrong.

Independent

Maybe not far enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Not far off".

The New Yorker

That's not far away".

Independent

"They're not far apart.

The New York Times

He's not far behind.

The New York Times - Sports

Or not far enough?

The Economist

He's not far off.

The New York Times - Books

We're not far away".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not far" to provide a sense of reassurance or convenience regarding distance or time. For example, "The airport is "not far" from the hotel, making it an easy commute."

Common error

While "not far" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "nearby" or "in close proximity" to add variety and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not far" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective to indicate proximity in distance or time. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe how close something is geographically or how soon something will occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Books

14%

Sports

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not far" is a common and versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is close in distance or time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to reassure or provide convenience. While alternatives like "nearby" or "close by" can add variety, "not far" remains a reliable and easily understood option for expressing proximity in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearby

Indicates physical closeness or proximity, replacing the negative construction of "not far" with a direct positive statement.

close by

Similar to "nearby", it emphasizes the short distance or immediate vicinity of something.

just around the corner

Idiomatic expression suggesting that something is very close and easily accessible.

a stone's throw away

An idiomatic expression indicating a very short distance.

within reach

Implies that something is attainable or easily accessible, either physically or metaphorically.

approaching

Focuses on the idea that something is drawing nearer in time or space.

in close proximity

A more formal way of saying "nearby", emphasizing the closeness of two things.

imminent

Emphasizes the nearness of something in time, suggesting it is about to happen.

on the horizon

Suggests that something is likely to happen or appear in the near future.

coming soon

Explicitly states that something will happen in the near future.

FAQs

How can I use "not far" in a sentence?

"Not far" is used to indicate that something is close in distance or time. For instance, "The park is "not far" from here", or "The deadline is "not far" off".

What's a more formal alternative to "not far"?

In formal writing, you could use "nearby", "close by", or "in close proximity" to convey the same meaning as "not far" with a more sophisticated tone.

How does "not far" compare to "a stone's throw away"?

"Not far" is a general indicator of closeness, while "a stone's throw away" is an idiom implying a very short distance, often used to emphasize convenience or ease of access.

Is it correct to say "not far away from here"?

While grammatically sound, "not far away from here" can be simplified to just "nearby" or "close by" for a more concise expression. The phrase "not far away from here" is redundant.