thousands of kilometers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'thousands of kilometers' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when referring to a great distance that is being traveled: "The explorer planned on traveling thousands of kilometers in his quest to find a new species of bird."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But it's only the first week, thousands of kilometers to go.

The New York Times - Sports

It also encourages bicycling and walking with thousands of kilometers of bike and pedestrian paths.

The New York Times

Hidden Costs When you are thousands of kilometers away from home, are you still a mother?

The New York Times

They travel thousands of kilometers by road and do what they can to entertain themselves a little.

The New York Times

The French territory is thousands of kilometers (miles) west of the area being searched for wreckage from the flight.

Independent

Almost every modern country has thousands of kilometers of roads.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Variables d and de are in thousands of kilometers.

International Aquatic Research

Pipelines extend thousands of kilometers across wide geographic areas to provide products for modern life.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

It serves a broad range of applications, providing outputs from meters to thousands of kilometers.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

The typical ground range is in the order of thousands of kilometers.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

A substantial amount of oil & gas products are transported and distributed via pipelines, which can stretch for thousands of kilometers.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thousands of kilometers", ensure the context provides a clear reference point. For instance, specify what spans or covers this distance to give the reader a tangible sense of scale.

Common error

Avoid using "thousands of kilometers" when a smaller unit, such as meters or kilometers, would provide a more accurate and relatable representation of the distance. Always consider your reader and choose the most appropriate unit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thousands of kilometers" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a large quantity of distance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing significant spatial extents as showcased in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thousands of kilometers" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, mainly in scientific and news contexts to denote significant distances. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for describing substantial spatial extents. While alternatives like "vast distances" or "extensive distances" exist, "thousands of kilometers" provides a more specific quantification. It's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the scale is relevant to the context and audience. When deciding between "thousands of kilometers" and "thousands of miles", consider your audience's familiarity with each unit. The phrase is suitable for formal and neutral settings, providing a clear indication of magnitude without unnecessary precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thousands of miles

Uses a different unit of distance, but maintains the sense of a large measurement.

vast distances

Replaces the specific measurement with a more general descriptor of expanse.

extensive distances

Similar to "vast distances", but emphasizes the reach or coverage.

great distances

A simpler, more direct way to express the idea of considerable length.

considerable distances

Highlights the substantial nature of the length involved.

long distances

A common and straightforward alternative to indicate significant length.

wide expanses

Shifts the focus from a linear measurement to a broader area.

immense stretches

Emphasizes the continuous and unbroken nature of the distance.

large swathes

Similar to "wide expanses", but suggests a less uniform area.

significant ranges

Focuses on the extent or scope of the distance being measured.

FAQs

How can I use "thousands of kilometers" in a sentence?

You can use "thousands of kilometers" to describe a large distance, such as "The migratory birds fly "thousands of kilometers" each year to reach their breeding grounds".

What's a good alternative to "thousands of kilometers"?

Alternatives include "vast distances", "extensive distances", or "considerable distances", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "thousands of kilometers" or "thousands of miles"?

The choice between "thousands of kilometers" and "thousands of miles" depends on your audience and the context. Kilometers are commonly used in most countries, while miles are primarily used in the United States.

When should I use "thousands of kilometers" instead of a more precise measurement?

Use "thousands of kilometers" when you want to emphasize the magnitude of the distance without needing to provide an exact figure. It's useful for giving a general sense of scale.