not very distant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very distant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is relatively close in terms of physical distance or time. Example: "The store is not very distant from my house, so I can walk there in just a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In all likelihood, some end to the regime appears inevitable, if not immediately, then in the not very distant future.

The Guardian - Opinion

By contrast, India and Pakistan dispute a common land border not very distant from either Islamabad or New Delhi.

The New York Times

Previous scene has Marshal Pétain telling Eva Braun, "I see a united Europe one not very distant day".

The New Yorker

And looming in the not very distant past is the Gilbert Arenas era, which included guns in the locker room.

The New York Times - Sports

Icebox has a video baby monitor, for instance, some version of which seems likely to be standard equipment in the not very distant future.

The New York Times

Rebecca Clarke's Sonata, for example, is couched in a lush language not very distant from that of the Franck Violin Sonata.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The more connected we are to other people, the less likely we are to succumb to despair — a conclusion that isn't very distant from the common-sense proposition that lonely people are often unhappy, and unhappy people are often lonely.

The New Yorker

The whistling of not-very-distant bombs punctuated her celebration.

The New York Times

And Cree predicts it will be able to match traditional lighting on price in the not-very-distant future.

MIT Technology Review

So we are probably in a parallel version of the present, or the not-very-distant future.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was said to be urging compromise with the marchers, though the meetings themselves awakened fears from Pakistan's not-very-distant past.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing timelines, "not very distant" can soften predictions making them sound less definite. For example, instead of saying "the technology will be available soon", you could say, "the technology will be available in the not very distant future".

Common error

While acceptable, "not very distant" can sometimes sound less precise than alternatives like "proximate" or "nearby" in formal academic writing. Choose vocabulary that best suits the tone and required level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very distant" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree of separation, either in time or space. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. The provided examples in Ludwig demonstrate its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not very distant" is a grammatically sound and acceptably common way to describe something that is relatively close in time or space. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and versatile. Analysis of example sentences reveals its presence primarily in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, consider if the neutral tone and slight ambiguity of "not very distant" are appropriate, or if a more direct term like "nearby" or "soon" would be more effective. Though readily understood, overuse in formal writing can reduce impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively near

Emphasizes nearness as opposed to remoteness.

reasonably close

Highlights the acceptable closeness of something.

not too far

Simple and direct way of expressing short distance.

within reach

Suggests accessibility and closeness.

fairly near

Similar to relatively near but slightly less formal.

in the short term

Focuses on time proximity rather than physical distance.

in the foreseeable future

Implies that something will happen soon.

coming soon

Highlights an imminent arrival or event.

just around the corner

Idiomatic way of saying something is about to happen or is very close.

on the horizon

Suggests that something is appearing and will soon be present.

FAQs

What does "not very distant" mean?

The phrase "not very distant" refers to something that is relatively close in either time or space. It suggests a degree of proximity that is more than far away but less than immediately adjacent.

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

You can use "not very distant" to describe a future event (e.g., "The launch is planned for the "foreseeable future"") or a physical location (e.g., "The park is "fairly near" my house").

What are some alternatives to "not very distant"?

Alternatives include "relatively near", "reasonably close", "not too far", or "in the short term" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not very distant" or "nearby"?

The choice between "not very distant" and "nearby" depends on the context and desired tone. "Nearby" is more direct and concrete, while "not very distant" can be more nuanced and suitable for describing less tangible things like time periods or relationships.