not that far

USAGE SUMMARY

"not that far" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate a relatively modest distance. For example: "I'm not that far away; I can come and meet you in about five minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"We're not that far along".

The New York Times

"We're not that far away".

The New Yorker

"They're not that far off".

The New York Times - Sports

He was not that far out.

The Economist

She's not that far behind Santorum.

The New Yorker

"I'm not that far off.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It's not that far-fetched," Hinton said.

The Guardian

"It's not that far-fetched".

Forbes

The conceit was not that far-fetched.

Huffington Post

This is not that far-fetched.

The New York Times

He added: "The report is not that far-fetched.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not that far" to downplay a distance or degree, making it seem less significant. For example, "The train station is not that far from here; we can walk."

Common error

While acceptable, "not that far" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "relatively close" or "within a reasonable distance" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not that far" functions as a degree modifier, softening the assertion of distance or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a common way to indicate that something is relatively close or not very extreme.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not that far" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a relatively short distance or a moderate degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. While versatile, the expression is most suited to neutral or slightly informal contexts, with formal writing often benefiting from more precise alternatives. The phrase commonly appears in news media, sports reporting, and everyday conversation. Remember to consider the context and desired tone when choosing to use "not that far" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very distant

This alternative focuses on physical distance, similar to the original phrase.

not too far

This is a more concise and casual version of the original phrase.

relatively close

Emphasizes the proximity of something, implying it is "not that far".

within reach

Indicates that something is accessible or achievable without great difficulty.

not a great distance

Formally states that the space between two points is limited.

moderately near

A more formal way of saying something is close, but "not that far".

easily accessible

Highlights ease of access, suggesting "not that far" in terms of effort.

just around the corner

Implies a short distance, often used figuratively.

a stone's throw away

Idiomatic expression for something very close by.

within spitting distance

An informal and sometimes vulgar way to describe something very close.

FAQs

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

Use "not that far" to indicate something isn't a great distance away, either physically or metaphorically. For example, "The museum is "not that far" from the hotel" or "Achieving your goals is "not that far" off if you keep working hard".

What does "not that far" mean?

"Not that far" means something is relatively close or not extreme. It implies a modest degree or distance.

What are some alternatives to "not that far"?

You can use alternatives such as "relatively close", "within reach", or "not too distant" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not that far away"?

Yes, "not that far away" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It emphasizes the limited distance.