not far now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not far now' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to indicate that the end of a journey or task is close to being completed. For example, "We've only got a few more steps to take - not far now!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the playoffs are not far now, and if you make it you'd like to have an idea of what the team is going to be".

The New York Times

Mardan, 16 October 2003 - "Come on, it's not far now," laughed 19 year-old Falaknaz.

Unicef

On polios last frontier in Pakistan Come on, its not far now, laughed 19 year-old Falaknaz.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It wasn't far now.

The New Yorker

Dresden isn't far now, almost within reach.

The Guardian - Books

"It is great that target is not far away now," he said.

Independent

He asked Lady Wolseley and her husband to unite in prayers for him on the opening night of his play, not far away now.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps one might like to see more than one season of accomplishment before an England cap is awarded, but Jennings has had his eye on one since declaring for England four years ago, and he is not far away now.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're not far off now.

BBC

"The Olympics are not far away now," Muirhead told BBC Scotland.

BBC

"It was a mistake on my behalf but hopefully I'm not far off now".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not far now" to encourage or reassure someone when they are nearing the end of a task, journey, or challenge. It provides a sense of hope and anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "not far now" in contexts where you need to provide a precise distance or time. It's best suited for situations where an exact measurement isn't necessary or relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not far now" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying an implied verb of motion or progress. Ludwig AI indicates that it's used to express nearness to a destination or the completion of a task. Examples show it reassuring or encouraging someone.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not far now" is a grammatically sound and intuitively understood expression used to convey the idea that a destination or goal is close at hand. Although Ludwig's AI identifies it as correct, its occurrence is relatively rare. You will find it primarily used in news, business and informal contents. Its main function is to offer encouragement and reassurance, often in situations where a literal or figurative journey is nearing its end. While more appropriate for informal settings, it remains versatile enough for a wide range of everyday conversations. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "approaching completion" or "nearly there" may be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost there

This phrase is a common idiom that indicates the destination or goal is very close.

nearly there

Similar to "almost there", this phrase suggests that the endpoint is within close reach.

close at hand

This phrase implies that something is readily available or easily accessible because it is nearby.

just around the corner

This idiom suggests that something is very close, either literally or figuratively.

within reach

This phrase means that something is attainable or achievable in the near future.

in close proximity

This phrase indicates that something is located very near to something else.

on the horizon

This phrase suggests that something is about to happen or appear soon.

approaching rapidly

This phrase suggests that something is coming closer very quickly.

drawing near

This phrase implies that something is getting closer over time.

imminent

This suggests that something is about to occur, often with a sense of urgency.

FAQs

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

You can use "not far now" to indicate that you are close to reaching a destination or completing a task. For instance, "We've been driving for hours, but "not far now", just a few more miles!"

What does "not far now" mean?

The phrase "not far now" is used to express that the end of a journey, task, or any endeavor is very close. It conveys a sense of nearing completion or arrival.

What are some alternatives to saying "not far now"?

You could use alternatives like "almost there", "nearly there", or "just around the corner" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "not far now" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not far now" is more suited for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "approaching completion" or "nearing the final stage" for a more professional tone.