pretty far away

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty far away" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a physical or metaphorical distance from one point to another. For example: "This town is pretty far away from the nearest beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"But those are still pretty far away.

The New York Times - Tech

And Tulane is pretty far away".

The New Yorker

Professionally, all of that stuff seems pretty far away.

The New York Times

It feels pretty far away now, I guess.

The Guardian - Film

"Besides, Carrie has moved pretty far away from Candace by now," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"But if you don't have insurance and can't get to the doctor, the war is pretty far away".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Pretty far out".

The Guardian - Music

I was living in Memphis at the time and Nebraska was pretty far enough away.

Vice

If you aren't renting a car or can't access the Walt Disney World Monorail system for some reason, the parks are a pretty far distance away and you'll need to find another way to get from one park to another.

WikiHow

Making my way between giant ravens at the lookout over Bow Lake, I realized that a glacier is at its prettiest when it is far away.

The New York Times - Travel

It might be really close (i.e. inches away from them) or it might be pretty far (i.e. 2 feet away).

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or goals, consider using "pretty far away" to indicate that they are not easily achievable in the near future. For example: "A fully sustainable energy system is still pretty far away."

Common error

While "pretty far away" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal documents can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for alternatives like "considerably distant" or "significantly removed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty far away" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating distance or remoteness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and can be used in written English. The phrase typically describes the degree to which something is distant, either physically or metaphorically.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty far away" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to indicate that something is significantly distant, whether physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. While highly versatile, it's advisable to consider alternatives in more formal contexts. The phrase sees frequent use in news media and general discourse, marking it as appropriate for diverse writing needs. When considering how to improve your use of "pretty far away", think about the nuances of distance and the audience to provide context. When you need to enhance the tone, remember that alternatives such as "quite distant" or "a long way off" can give you more specific meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long way off

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey the idea of distance.

quite distant

Replaces "pretty far" with a more formal adjective, maintaining a similar level of intensity.

miles away

Emphasizes a significant physical distance, using a common unit of measurement.

a considerable distance

Emphasizes the extent of the distance, using a more descriptive noun phrase.

relatively remote

Highlights the isolation or inaccessibility resulting from the distance.

considerably apart

Highlights the separation between two points, using a more formal and precise tone.

significantly removed

Focuses on the separation or detachment caused by the distance, using a more formal tone.

at a remove

Implies a separation or detachment, often metaphorical, rather than a purely physical distance.

out of reach

Suggests the distance makes something unattainable or inaccessible, moving beyond physical distance.

beyond the horizon

Evokes a sense of great distance, often with a metaphorical or aspirational connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty far away" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty far away" to describe both physical and metaphorical distances. For example: "The nearest gas station is pretty far away", or "A solution to this problem seems "a long way off"".

What's a more formal alternative to "pretty far away"?

In more formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "quite distant" or "considerably remote".

Is it correct to use "pretty far away" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty far away" may sound too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise and formal language depending on the specific requirements of your field and audience.

What is the difference between "pretty far away" and "very far away"?

The difference is subtle; "pretty far away" suggests a slightly lesser degree of distance than "very far away". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.