slightly further away

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly further away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the distance between two objects. For example, "The mountain peak was slightly further away than the other hills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

We shuffled slightly further away along the settee.

The Guardian - Music

Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan advised students they might get cheaper accommodation slightly further away from campus.

The Guardian

Had it been slightly nearer or slightly further away, victory would still have been theirs.

The Guardian - Sport

Just slightly further away is Kidderminster, you'll find the Railway Museum which houses a large collection of train-related artefacts.

The Guardian - Travel

At Liverpool, Benítez wanted him to feed Steven Gerrard; at Real Madrid the target – Cristiano Ronaldo – was slightly further away, meaning longer passes.

The Guardian - Sport

We find the transition to a hot uninhabitable state in the Kepler-35 slightly further away from the centre of mass of the system than a recent estimate of around 1.103 a.u.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Most of the retreating force headed for Balcarres' position, as Breymann's was slightly north and further away from the early action.

Wikipedia

While this may slightly improve anomalies further away from the pole, the resulting small correlation distance at the pole leads to more striping in the solution there.

Geophysical Research Letters

Slightly farther away are Lookout Pass, Blacktail Mountain, and Big Mountain.

Wikipedia

These districts are slightly farther away (Belpre is also upstream).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Like fading cinders in the fireworks, galaxies that were initially close to each other are today drifting apart slowly, while those that began slightly further apart are flying away from each other at higher speeds.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly further away", ensure the context clearly establishes a reference point for comparison. For instance, "The second house was "slightly further away" from the beach than the first."

Common error

Avoid using "farther" when "further" is appropriate. "Farther" refers to physical distance, while "further" indicates degree or extent. While using "farther" to describe physical distance is not incorrect, "slightly further away" is more idiomatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly further away" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree and direction of distance relative to a reference point. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly further away" is a versatile and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe a minor increase in distance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in English. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to scientific publications, maintaining a neutral tone. While interchangeable with phrases like "a bit more distant" or "marginally more distant", choosing the most appropriate alternative depends on the intended nuance. Pay attention to using "further" for degree or extent, and not confusing it with "farther" which refers to physical distance. By understanding these subtle distinctions, you can confidently and accurately employ "slightly further away" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally more distant

Highlights a very small difference in distance.

barely more distant

Emphasizes how minimal the difference in distance is.

a bit more distant

Emphasizes a small increase in distance.

just a little further

Focuses on the small increment of increased distance.

somewhat more remote

Implies a greater degree of separation or inaccessibility.

a touch further out

Uses a more colloquial tone to indicate a small increase in distance.

slightly more removed

Suggests a detachment or separation along with increased distance.

a shade farther off

Uses a more informal and figurative way to express the same idea.

somewhat farther afield

Suggests the place/object is slightly more distant but still within a general area.

fractionally more out of reach

Implies that something is a little bit more difficult to attain due to the distance.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly further away" in a sentence?

Use "slightly further away" to indicate that something is a small distance more distant than something else. For example, "The office is "slightly further away" from the station than I thought."

What is a synonym for "slightly further away"?

Alternatives include "a bit more distant", "marginally more distant", or "just a little further". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "slightly further away" or "slightly farther away"?

Both are grammatically correct when referring to physical distance. However, "slightly further away" is more commonly used and generally preferred. "Farther" is also acceptable, but is often used with specifically measurable distances.

Is there a difference in formality between "slightly further away" and other similar phrases?

The phrase "slightly further away" is generally neutral in tone. More formal alternatives might include phrases like "marginally more distant", while more informal options might be "a touch further out".