not far off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not far off" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to say that something, such as a timeline, is close to being finished or is approaching quickly. For example, you might say, "He's not far off from finishing his degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Technology

Books

Politics

Opinion

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Not far off".

The New Yorker

(They are not far off).

The New York Times - Books

We're not far off".

The New York Times - Sports

"But I'm sure that's not far off".

The New York Times - Tech

"He's not far off at all".

The New York Times - Sports

Not far off: a rainbow of ketchup.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Levels in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands weren't far off".

The New York Times - Arts

They weren't far off; Messinger and Gold are sisters.

The New York Times

Galbraith's interpretation wasn't far off for its time.

Forbes

"We aren't far off," Vautard said.

Huffington Post

But these are not far-off threats.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not far off" to express that something is close to being achieved, reached, or is nearly accurate. It's versatile for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "not far off" when you mean something is significantly distant or inaccurate. This phrase implies a high degree of closeness, either in time, space, or approximation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not far off" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate proximity in terms of time, distance, or accuracy. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to express that something is close to being achieved, correct, or reached. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sports

13%

Books

10%

Less common in

Business

8%

Arts

6%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not far off" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates proximity in time, distance, or accuracy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, primarily in news, sports, and business. This adjectival phrase serves to convey a sense of nearness or approximation, setting expectations that a desired state is within reach. When using "not far off", ensure that the context aligns with its meaning of close proximity, avoiding its use when indicating significant distance or inaccuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close by

Indicates physical nearness, focusing on spatial proximity rather than a forecast.

almost here

Suggests immediacy and arrival in time or space.

approaching soon

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of nearing a point in time.

coming up shortly

Highlights a rapid approach in time.

about to happen

Emphasizes imminence and the expectation of an event occurring very soon.

nearly complete

Highlights the state of being close to finished.

just around the corner

Idiomatically suggests a short distance or time until something occurs.

on the horizon

Metaphorically suggests something is imminent, focusing on future possibility.

within reach

Emphasizes attainability, either literally or figuratively.

in close proximity

Formally indicates nearness in space or conceptually.

FAQs

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

You can use "not far off" to indicate that something is close to a certain point, whether in terms of time, distance, or accuracy. For instance, "The deadline is "approaching soon"," or "His estimate was "nearly complete"."

What does "not far off the mark" mean?

"Not far off the mark" means that something is close to being correct or accurate. It suggests that an attempt or guess was reasonably close to the right answer, but not perfect. Similar phrases include "almost right" or "on the right track".

Which is more accurate, "not far off" or "close enough"?

Both "not far off" and "close enough" imply a reasonable degree of proximity or accuracy, but "close enough" might suggest a slightly lower standard. Something that is "not far off" might still need some adjustment, whereas "close enough" might be acceptable as is. The choice depends on the specific context and required level of precision. Similar alternatives may be "good enough" or "near enough".

What are some situations where I might use the phrase "not far off"?

You can use "not far off" in various situations, such as estimating completion times ("We're "nearly there""), assessing someone's performance ("His performance is "improving rapidly""), or gauging the accuracy of a prediction ("The prediction was "almost accurate"").