really far away

USAGE SUMMARY

"really far away" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
Example: The mountains in the distance looked really far away, their tops barely visible against the clear blue sky.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

China's really far away.

Independent

"I'm really far away.

The New York Times

"Now he is really far away.

The New York Times

But you better be really far away.

The New York Times - Sports

"Or they put you really far away.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was basically the countryside — really far away".

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"If anything, it's really, really imperfect, far away from the dream we want to build".

The New York Times

"Milberg was really far and away the firm that was best positioned to litigate the case, because of its depth of experience," Christopher Patti, the university counsel, said.

The New Yorker

In truth, though, Bloc Party are never really very far away.

The Guardian - Music

The grand opening of all the museums in 2013 is not really that far away.

Independent

Spring isn't really that far away, even though it did snow here last week.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really far away" to emphasize a significant distance, whether physical or metaphorical. It's effective in conveying a strong sense of remoteness or separation.

Common error

While "really far away" is acceptable, avoid overusing "really" in your writing. Too many intensifiers can weaken your message. Consider stronger alternatives like "extremely distant" or "incredibly remote" to vary your language and maintain impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really far away" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the degree of distance. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing physical locations and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really far away" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the degree of distance or remoteness. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to modify a verb or noun, and its communicative purpose is to convey a strong sense of separation. While generally neutral in register, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a high degree of usage consistency and is considered standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very distant

Emphasizes the extent of separation, but uses a single adjective instead of an adverb-adjective combination.

extremely remote

Highlights the inaccessibility of a location, focusing on isolation.

miles away

Uses a common idiom to express significant distance, focusing on physical separation.

a great distance

More formal and emphasizes the measurement of the separation.

far-off

More literary and suggests a sense of mystery or unfamiliarity due to the distance.

in the middle of nowhere

Idiomatic expression indicating a location is isolated and remote.

out in the boonies

Informal idiom denoting a rural or remote location.

off the beaten path

Indicates a location is secluded and not easily accessible.

removed from civilization

Focuses on the lack of urban or developed areas.

beyond the horizon

Evokes a sense of distance that is visually or figuratively unreachable.

FAQs

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

You can use "really far away" to describe physical distance, as in "The cabin was "really far away" from the nearest town", or metaphorical distance, such as "Success seemed "really far away" after so many failures".

What are some alternatives to saying "really far away"?

Alternatives include "very distant", "extremely remote", "miles away", or "a great distance", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "really far away"?

Yes, "really far away" is grammatically correct. "Really" is an adverb modifying the adjective phrase "far away".

What's the difference between "really far away" and "very far away"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "really far away" may suggest a slightly more emphatic or informal tone compared to "very far away". The choice often depends on personal preference and the overall style of your writing.