not too distant

USAGE SUMMARY

"not too distant" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used in situations where two or more events, places, or times are being compared and one of them is closer than the other(s). For example, "The town I grew up in is not too distant from here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Expect more paper avalanches in the not too distant future.

The Economist

The Davis Cup, in the not too distant future.

The New York Times - Magazine

Surprisingly, $100 is a not too distant second at 16%.

The Economist

In the not too distant future we will all drown".

The Guardian - Sport

"I imagine that schemes will be writing out to people in the not too distant future".

Independent

I am hopeful we will sort something out in the not too distant future".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

For us onlooking or partaking upperclassmen, that feeling isn't too distant.

Huffington Post

Something awful happened here in the not-too-distant past.

The Economist

Above all, however, there's not-too-distant history.

Independent

Forrester paints a picture of the not-too-distant future.

The Guardian - Tech

It sounds like not-too-distant news reports.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not too distant" to convey a sense of nearness, whether in time or figuratively in terms of relatedness or similarity. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended proximity.

Common error

While "not too distant" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to convey specific timeframes or relationships to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too distant" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically qualifying nouns related to time, distance, or degree of similarity. It indicates a relative closeness or proximity, as shown in Ludwig AI analysis and confirmed by various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not too distant" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that serves to indicate that something is relatively close in time, space, or similarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, offering a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing styles. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more precise alternatives in highly formal or academic settings. Related phrases include "in the near future" and "not far off", which can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the near future

This alternative emphasizes the temporal aspect of the original phrase, focusing on an event happening soon.

in the foreseeable future

This highlights the predictability or likelihood of an event happening soon.

in the short term

This alternative focuses on the immediate or short-range timeframe.

not far off

This uses spatial metaphor to indicate temporal proximity.

just around the corner

This idiom implies something is very close to happening or being reached.

on the horizon

This suggests something is becoming apparent or imminent.

within sight

This indicates something is close enough to be seen or achieved.

coming soon

This emphasizes the impending arrival of something.

in due course

This alternative suggests an event will happen at the appropriate time without specifying how near it is.

eventually

This emphasizes that something will happen at some point in the future, though it may not be very soon.

FAQs

What does "not too distant" mean?

The phrase "not too distant" refers to something that is relatively close in time or space, implying it is not far away or long off.

How can I use "not too distant" in a sentence?

You can use "not too distant" to describe a future event (e.g., "I hope to see you again in the "not too distant" future") or to indicate a close relationship (e.g., "Their views are "not too distant" from each other").

What can I say instead of "not too distant"?

Alternatives to "not too distant" include "in the near future", "in the foreseeable future", or "not far off", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "not-too-distant future"?

Yes, "not-too-distant future" is grammatically correct. The hyphenation helps to clarify that "not", "too", and "distant" are all modifying "future" as a single compound adjective.