touching distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touching distance" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to convey that something is very close or within reach. Example: After months of hard work, the team was finally within touching distance of their goal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm within touching distance now of next week," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

In 2012, turnover was in touching distance of £75m.

The Guardian

"We're within touching distance now, said the midfielder.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe not, but they are still within touching distance.

The Guardian - Opinion

A 14th grand slam is within touching distance.

The Guardian - Sport

"I know I'm touching distance away from that super fight.

Independent

Out of the relegation zone and within touching distance of survival.

The Guardian - Sport

I know we went out on penalties at both, but England were touching distance from glory.

The Guardian - Sport

They briefly rallied as nine unanswered points brought them within touching distance.

The Guardian - Sport

I was mentally exhausted but I knew I was in touching distance of those guys.

The Guardian - Sport

Warrington are now within touching distance of an increasingly rare domestic double.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touching distance" to emphasize that a goal or achievement is very close to being realized, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement. For example: "After a strong performance, the team was in touching distance of the championship title."

Common error

Avoid using "touching distance" when referring to abstract concepts or situations where physical proximity is irrelevant. For example, it would be incorrect to say "The philosophical argument was within touching distance of being proven," as it doesn't relate to physical closeness or attainable goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touching distance" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs by indicating a state of nearness to a goal or achievement. It adds detail about the extent to which something is attainable. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "touching distance" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that something is very close to being achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It functions as an adverbial phrase, primarily used in news, sports, and business contexts to emphasize the nearness of a desired outcome. While "within reach" and "on the verge of" serve as excellent alternatives, it's essential to use "touching distance" in contexts where physical proximity or attainable goals are relevant. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "touching distance" remains a valuable and reliable phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within reach

Indicates something is attainable or achievable, similar to "touching distance", but can imply a slightly longer reach.

in striking distance

Often used in competitive contexts, implying readiness to act or attack.

on the verge of

Implies being very close to a specific state or event; it's more about an impending change than physical proximity.

nearly there

A more casual way of saying something is close to being completed.

on the brink of

Suggests a critical point before something happens, often implying a significant or dramatic event.

at hand

Implies that something is readily available or easily accessible, whether physically or metaphorically.

just around the corner

Indicates nearness in time or location, often used for events or opportunities.

in close proximity

Focuses on physical closeness, lacking the implication of achieving a goal.

a stone's throw away

Describes physical closeness, typically referring to distance.

within spitting distance

An informal way to indicate extreme closeness, often in a literal sense.

FAQs

How can I use "touching distance" in a sentence?

You can use "touching distance" to describe situations where someone is very close to achieving a goal or reaching a certain point. For example: "The company is within touching distance of its sales target."

What's a good alternative to "touching distance"?

Alternatives to "touching distance" include "within reach", "on the verge of", or "nearly there", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "touching distance" in formal writing?

"Touching distance" is generally suitable for both formal and informal writing, particularly in contexts like sports reporting or business updates. However, consider the specific tone and audience to ensure it fits appropriately.

What does it mean to be 'within touching distance' of something?

To be 'within touching distance' of something means you are very close to achieving it or reaching it. It implies that success is imminent or easily attainable, requiring little additional effort.