two points away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two points away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as sports or scoring systems to indicate a difference in points between two competitors or teams. Example: "The team is currently two points away from winning the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Potentially two points away.

The Guardian - Sport

Sharapova is two points away.

The Guardian - Sport

Potentially two points away from the set.

The Guardian - Sport

Bartoli is two points away from the match.

The Guardian - Sport

"We only have ourselves to blame, we've thrown two points away," said McClaren.

The Guardian - Sport

Then another error, a backhand into the net, and Gulbis is two points away.

The Guardian - Sport

And possibly two points away from a place in the second round.

The Guardian - Sport

"Being two points away from losing, it can't get much worse," Hingis said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was two points away from winning that match, so I'm pretty disappointed," Watson said.

The Guardian - Sport

Murray is two points away, so it's a bad time to net a backhand return.

The Guardian - Sport

Two years ago, he was two points away from beating Agassi at the French Open.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "two points away" to create a sense of suspense or anticipation in your writing, highlighting how close a team or individual is to achieving a victory or milestone.

Common error

Avoid using "two points away" in contexts where the scoring system is not well-defined or easily understood by the audience. Ensure the point system is clear to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two points away" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied), indicating proximity to a specific target or achievement. As Ludwig AI explains, the expression is common across a variety of contexts, primarily related to sports and finance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

45%

General

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "two points away" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone or something is close to achieving a goal, milestone, or desired outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's especially prevalent in sports and general news contexts. While versatile, it's important to provide sufficient context, particularly in sports, to ensure the scoring system and significance of the points are understood. Consider alternatives like "within striking distance" or "nearly there" for varied expression, but ensure that the point system is clearly explained in order to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly there

A simpler way to convey that a goal is almost reached.

within striking distance

This alternative uses a metaphor from combat sports to indicate being close enough to achieve a goal.

close to achieving

Highlights the act of approaching the successful completion of something.

on the verge of

Focuses on the imminence of reaching a specific state or outcome.

just shy of

Indicates a slight deficiency in reaching a specific target.

a hair's breadth from

Emphasizes how incredibly close something is to happening or being achieved.

within reach

Indicates that something is attainable or achievable.

a stone's throw away

Uses a distance metaphor to describe proximity.

in close proximity

Highlights the physical closeness or nearness of something.

approaching rapidly

Focuses on the speed of nearing a particular target or milestone.

FAQs

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

You can use "two points away" to describe a team or individual's position relative to a target score or achievement. For example: "The team is "two points away" from winning the championship".

What are some alternatives to saying "two points away"?

Some alternatives include "within striking distance", "nearly there", or "close to achieving" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "only two points away"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say "only "two points away"". The addition of "only" emphasizes the small margin or the ease of potentially closing the gap.

What does it mean when someone says a team is "two points away from safety"?

In sports, particularly football (soccer), being ""two points away" from safety" typically means that the team needs just two more points to move out of the relegation zone and avoid being demoted to a lower league.