too far off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too far off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not close in distance or time, or that an idea or prediction is not accurate. Example: "The deadline for the project is not too far off, so we need to start working on it immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I'm too far off".

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm never too far off," Demsey said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's too far off," he said.

The Washington Post

I heard them too, far off, but still distinct.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It feels not too far off from the slave trade".

The New York Times - Magazine

Just worshipping him from not too far off was enough.

The New Yorker

That date was too far off for many.

The New York Times

"I think lazy isn't too far off," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

I got lucky and he was too far off".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Was I too far off-base?

TechCrunch

Almost no speculation seemed too far-off.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too far off" to describe a future event, ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's desirable or undesirable. For instance, "the release date isn't too far off" suggests anticipation, while "retirement feels too far off" may express impatience.

Common error

Avoid using "too far off" when a more precise time frame is available or necessary. For example, instead of saying "the meeting is not too far off", specify "the meeting is next week" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too far off" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates that something is either spatially distant, temporally remote, or substantially inaccurate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig showcases various applications of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too far off" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe something as distant, inaccurate, or unlikely. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While seemingly simple, subtle contextual cues dictate how the phrase is interpreted and thus it is essential to ensure clarity when you include this phrase in your writing.

Alternatives such as "not close enough", or "off the mark" offer nuanced ways to convey distance or inaccuracy. By avoiding overly vague temporal references and ensuring contextual clarity, writers can effectively leverage "too far off" to enhance their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not close enough

Emphasizes the lack of proximity, either physically or metaphorically.

quite distant

Highlights the separation in terms of time, space, or relevance.

a long shot

Focuses on the improbability or low chance of success.

not very accurate

Indicates a degree of error or deviation from the correct value.

off the mark

Highlights the inaccuracy or irrelevance of a statement or idea.

way off base

Signifies a significant error or misunderstanding.

nowhere near

Underlines the large gap or disparity between two things.

far removed

Stresses the lack of connection or similarity.

out of reach

Highlights the impossibility of attaining something.

not in the ballpark

Indicates that an estimate or guess is significantly incorrect.

FAQs

How can I use "too far off" in a sentence?

You can use "too far off" to describe something that is not close in distance or time, or that an idea or prediction is not accurate. For example, "The deadline isn't "too far off", so we need to start working on it" or "His guess was "too far off" from the actual number".

What are some alternatives to saying "too far off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "not close enough", "quite distant", or "a long shot" instead of "too far off".

Is it correct to say "too far off from"?

While it is commonly used, the "from" is often unnecessary. You can simply say "too far off" without adding "from" unless you need to specify what something is far off from. For example: "His estimate was "too far off"" is equivalent to "His estimate was "too far off from the actual value"".

What's the difference between "too far off" and "not too far off"?

"Too far off" implies a significant distance or inaccuracy, while "not too far off" indicates that something is relatively close or reasonably accurate. They have opposite meanings; "not too far off" suggests proximity or closeness, whether in time, distance, or accuracy.