two doors away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two doors away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a distance or proximity between two locations, typically in a residential context. Example: "My friend lives just two doors away from me, so we often visit each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

One was just two doors away.

The New York Times

Two doors away, a Photomaton concession opened in 1932.

The New York Times - Arts

I lived in a town house in Harlem, two doors away from my older sister Lynette.

The New Yorker

A 79-year-old retired officer lives two doors away from the scene.

The New York Times

Buck, who lived two doors away, went to help after hearing shouting from his front garden.

The Guardian

The day care center, the George C. Conliffe Child Care Center, is only two doors away.

The New York Times

A Muslim family lives two doors away and the community is now middle class and cosmopolitan.

The Guardian

Figgis ended up shooting just two doors away, at the house of a music business executive.

The Guardian - Film

The new building is two doors away from a 19-story N.Y.U.

The New York Times

After the blast, the New York Times interviewed a worker at a restaurant two doors away from the Embassy.

The New Yorker

Nick Gannon, 33, who lived two doors away from Mair, has known him since he was 10 years old.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing directions or describing a location, use "two doors away" to clearly indicate immediate proximity to a known reference point. For example: "The bakery is located just "two doors away" from the post office."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "two doors away". It's generally more accurate to say "two doors away from" rather than "two doors away to" when specifying the reference point.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "two doors away" is to serve as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the distance or proximity of one location to another. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "two doors away" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something as being in close physical proximity to something else. Ludwig's analysis of numerous sources confirms its prevalent use in news, media, and everyday conversation. While primarily neutral in register, it serves the function of clearly indicating a short distance for easy localization. When offering directions or determining a location's nearness, use "two doors away" for efficient communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of doors down

Refers to a similar distance, implying a short walk to a nearby location.

just around the corner

Indicates a nearby location, though not necessarily adjacent.

a stone's throw away

Idiomatic expression indicating a short distance.

in the immediate vicinity

More formal, refers to the surrounding area without specifying exact distance.

close by

Similar to nearby, emphasizing closeness.

nearby

A general term for not far away.

in close proximity

Formal way of saying nearby.

a short distance away

Describes distance without specifics.

within walking distance

Implies a distance easily covered on foot.

just over there

Indicates a nearby location, often pointed out.

FAQs

How can I use "two doors away" in a sentence?

You can use "two doors away" to describe a location that is very close to another known location. For example: "The new cafe is "two doors away" from the library."

What are some alternatives to "two doors away"?

Alternatives include "a couple of doors down", "nearby", or "just around the corner", depending on the precise meaning you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "two doors away" or "in close proximity"?

"In close proximity" is more formal. "Two doors away" is a more casual and specific way to indicate nearness.

Can I use "two doors away" for non-physical locations?

While technically possible in creative writing, ""two doors away"" is typically used for physical locations. For abstract concepts, consider using alternatives like "closely related" or "directly connected".