seems far away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems far away" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that appears or feels distant or remote. It can also be used figuratively to express a sense of detachment or disconnection. Example: Despite being only a few hours away by plane, the thought of visiting my hometown seemed far away, as if it existed in a different world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It seems far away.

The New York Times

A solution seems far away.

The New York Times

God seems far away.

The Guardian - Books

Paris at the moment seems far away.

The New Yorker

That life seems far away now.

The New York Times

But all that seems far away.

The New York Times - Sports

The peaceful adjudication of property claims seems far away.

The Economist

What's certain is that 2007 seems far away.

The New York Times

Big business seems far away, but it isn't.

The New York Times - Arts

That is only true if Inauguration Day seems far away.

The New Yorker

That troubled history seems far away at this particular moment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems far away" to convey a sense of emotional, temporal, or physical distance. Be mindful of the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear.

Common error

Avoid using "seems far away" when a more precise term like "distant" or "remote" would be more appropriate. Reserve it for situations where there's a sense of emotional or temporal remove, not just physical distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems far away" primarily functions as a subject complement, describing the state or condition of the subject. It indicates a perceived distance, either physical, emotional, or temporal. Ludwig AI affirms that this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Arts

12%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems far away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying distance – whether in terms of physical space, time, or emotional connection. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness. Predominantly found in news and media outlets, it paints a picture of remoteness or inaccessibility. When writing, leverage this phrase to add depth and nuance to descriptions of separation. While versatile, it's important to ensure that "seems far away" captures an aspect of detachment and not just physical distance, to avoid awkward phrasing and to keep the most correct meaning of the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feels remote

Emphasizes the emotional or psychological distance.

is a world away

Highlights a significant difference or separation.

appears distant

Focuses on the visual aspect of something not being close.

is a thing of the past

Highlights that something no longer exists or is relevant.

seems unattainable

Focuses on the perceived impossibility of reaching a goal or situation.

is out of reach

Suggests something is unattainable or inaccessible.

is long gone

Implies that something has disappeared completely.

is a distant memory

Highlights that something belongs to the past and is not easily recalled.

is beyond the horizon

Implies something is not immediately achievable or visible.

recedes into the distance

Emphasizes the gradual disappearance or fading of something.

FAQs

How to use "seems far away" in a sentence?

The phrase "seems far away" can be used to describe something that feels distant in time, space, or emotionally. For example, "That troubled history "seems far away" at this particular moment" indicates a feeling of detachment from past events.

What can I say instead of "seems far away"?

You can use alternatives like "appears distant", "feels remote", or "is a world away" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "seems far away" or "seems further away"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "seems far away" is more common and generally implies a greater sense of distance. "Seems further away" emphasizes a comparative increase in distance from a previous point.

What's the difference between "seems far away" and "is a distant memory"?

"Seems far away" implies a current feeling of detachment from something, while "is a distant memory" indicates that something is difficult to recall because it happened long ago. The first focuses on a feeling, the second on recollection.