not remotely close

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Married to the photographer and artist David Michalek, Ms. Whelan, at 42, is not remotely close to quitting.

The New York Times - Arts

"This not remotely close to what we could have done if we had sat down in a true bipartisan fashion and found a better way".

The New York Times

There were not remotely close to 33,000 in the stands at the quaint old P Sara Oval, nor were there enough tears to float Noah's Ark.

The Guardian - Sport

And whatever edge it does give her is not remotely close to matching the one male athletes have over their female counterparts.

The Guardian - Sport

The EU - and Miliband was right on this - is itself not remotely close to possessing the kind of firepower that would underpin the vast ambitions of its more ardent supporters.

The Guardian - Opinion

The analogy is not remotely close.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Assistant Secretary of Defense Thomas B. Ross said, "We weren't remotely close to World War III.O Unfortunately, we can never be truly "remote" until we rid the world of nuclear weapons.

The New Yorker

But it's hard to argue with what we saw Sunday; Griffin wasn't remotely close to his usual self.

The New York Times

Even after Jenkins' tactical retreats from capital-heavy activities, Barclays isn't remotely close to financial respectability.

The Guardian - Business

She told me, 'He isn't remotely close to her type.' And I said: 'You're completely wrong here, because he's all smiles and she is all smiles.

The New York Times

The numbers they found suggest that a person is much, much more likely to be killed by a gun in the United States than in any of these other countries, and it isn't remotely close.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not remotely close" to emphasize a significant difference or lack of similarity between two things, adding a stronger sense of distance than "not close."

Common error

Avoid stacking intensifiers with "not remotely close". Phrases like "not even remotely close at all" can sound redundant. Choose one strong intensifier for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not remotely close" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to express a degree of difference or distance. It indicates that something is far from being accurate, similar, or true. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

13%

Sport

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not remotely close" is a commonly used adverbial phrase to express a significant difference or lack of similarity. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and versatile enough to be used in various contexts, from news and media to formal business communication. It’s important to avoid redundancy by not overusing intensifiers with this phrase. When you want to emphasize that something isn't just "not close" but is significantly far off, "not remotely close" is a solid choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nowhere near

This alternative uses different wording to express the idea of not being close.

not even close

This alternative is a more common and slightly less formal way of saying "not remotely close".

far from

A more concise way of expressing a significant difference or distance.

not in the slightest

Emphasizes the complete absence of any closeness or similarity.

distant from

Emphasizes separation and lack of connection.

nowhere within range

Implies that something is not even within the possible scope or reach.

a world apart

Emphasizes a vast difference or separation.

distinctly different

Focuses on the clear and obvious differences between two things.

bears no resemblance to

Highlights the lack of similarity in appearance or character.

entirely dissimilar

Underscores the complete lack of resemblance or similarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "not remotely close" to emphasize that two things are very different or that something is far from a particular state. For example, "The actual cost was "not remotely close" to the initial estimate."

What are some alternatives to "not remotely close"?

Some alternatives include "nowhere near", "not even close", or "far from". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of emphasis.

Is "not remotely close" formal or informal?

"Not remotely close" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it tends to be more common in written or spoken English than in very casual conversation.

What's the difference between "not close" and "not remotely close"?

"Not remotely close" implies a greater distance or difference than simply "not close". The addition of "remotely" intensifies the statement, emphasizing that there is little to no similarity or connection between the items being compared.