they were far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were far" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant distance between people, objects, or places in various contexts. Example: "When they were far from home, they realized how much they missed their family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were far from any dwellings.

The New Yorker

They were far from kindred spirits.

Independent

They were far more successful".

The New York Times

Most tellingly, they were far from irresponsible.

The Guardian

Though beautiful, they were far from groundbreaking.

The New York Times

But they were far from stuffy.

The New York Times - Arts

They were far more important than life".

The Guardian - Books

But they were far from dreadful.

The New York Times

They were far from perfect in the group.

Independent

As such, they were far from tangential to his career.

The New York Times - Arts

But they were far from modern by present-day standards.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical distance, ensure the context provides a reference point. For example, "They were far from the city center" is more informative than simply "They were far".

Common error

Avoid using "they were far" without providing context or a specific reference point. Vague descriptions can leave the reader without a clear understanding of the degree of distance involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were far" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating spatial, temporal, or figurative distance. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts, from physical location to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were far" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate distance, whether physical, emotional, or figurative. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While effective, it's important to provide context to clarify the nature and extent of the distance being described. Consider alternatives like "they were a long way off" or "they were remotely located" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were a long way off

Emphasizes the considerable distance involved.

they were remotely located

Focuses on the location being distant and isolated.

they were distantly situated

Highlights the spatial separation between them and another point.

they were at a distance

Indicates a general separation without specifying how far.

they were widely separated

Stresses the extent of the division or gap between them.

they were significantly apart

Emphasizes the importance or degree of their separation.

they were nowhere near

Expresses that something or someone is not close at all to a particular place or thing.

they were substantially removed

Highlights the degree to which they are separated, indicating significant distance.

they were poles apart

Figuratively denotes a very great difference or divergence in opinion or situation.

they were galaxies away

Emphasizes an extreme and almost unreachable distance, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "they were far" in a sentence?

You can use "they were far" to indicate a physical, emotional, or metaphorical distance. For example, "They were far from the stage", "They were far from happy", or "They were far from the truth".

What are some alternatives to saying "they were far"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "they were a long way off", "they were remotely located", or "they were nowhere near".

Is it better to say "they were far away" or "they were far"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "they were far away" emphasizes the distance more explicitly. "They were far" can sometimes imply other kinds of distance, such as emotional or metaphorical.

What's the difference between saying "they were far" and "they were distant"?

"They were far" usually implies a physical distance, while "they were distant" can refer to emotional distance or a lack of connection. For example, "They were far from the border" (physical) versus "They were distant with each other" (emotional).