not too far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not too far" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a distance that is not too great or a situation that is not too extreme. Example: "The hotel is not too far from the beach, so we can easily walk there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A: Not too far.

The New York Times - Arts

JAMIE: Not too far.

The New Yorker

Just not too far.

The New York Times - Sports

(Not too far off).

The New York Times - Travel

It's not too far off.

Independent

Not too far, Joanna.

The Guardian

India is not too far behind.

The New York Times

Onward and hopefully not too far downward.

The New York Times - Sports

Not too far behind the curtain, though.

The New York Times

Well, not too far foul.

The Guardian - Arts

Everything is not too far.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not too far" to indicate a relative nearness or mild extent, rather than a precise measurement. It's effective in conveying a sense of reasonable closeness or limitation without being overly specific.

Common error

While "not too far" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language, such as "nearby" or "within a short distance", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too far" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a relative degree of distance, time, or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard English expression. For example, "It's not too far away" modifies the verb 'is'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not too far" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate a reasonable degree of distance, time, or extent. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources. While generally neutral in tone, more precise language might be preferable in formal writing. When seeking alternatives, phrases like ""nearby"" or "within reach" can offer similar meanings depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearby

Similar to "close by", suggesting a short distance.

close by

Implies physical proximity or nearness.

within a short distance

Emphasizes that the distance is small and manageable.

within reach

Indicates that something is easily accessible or attainable.

just around the corner

Suggests something is very close and easily found.

not distant

A more formal way of saying "not too far", emphasizing the lack of distance.

a stone's throw away

An idiomatic expression indicating a very short distance.

in close proximity

Highlights the nearness of something in a more technical or formal context.

a hop, skip, and a jump away

An informal and playful way of saying something is very close.

easily accessible

Focuses on the ease of reaching or obtaining something.

FAQs

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

You can use "not too far" to describe physical distance (e.g., "The restaurant is "nearby""), or to indicate a point in time (e.g., "The deadline is "approaching", but "not too far" away").

What are some alternatives to "not too far"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "close by", ""nearby"", "within reach", or "easily accessible".

Is it appropriate to use "not too far" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not too far" can sound informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise and professional alternatives like "within a reasonable distance" or "in close proximity".

What does "not too far off" mean?

"Not too far off" means that something is close to being accurate, true, or achieved. For example, "Your estimate is "not too far off"" suggests that the estimate is nearly correct.