very far away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very far away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant distance from a particular point or location. Example: "The stars seem very far away from Earth, making them difficult to reach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other places seem very, very far away.

The New Yorker

It is also very far away.

The Economist

The Bolsheviks were very far away.

The New York Times

It seemed very far away.

The New York Times - Travel

Sochi feels very far away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Oh not very far away.

The Guardian

The West Coast seemed very far away.

Columbia University

Ayia Napa seems very far away indeed.

The Guardian - Travel

Some come from very far away.

The New York Times

But Miranda is never very far away.

The New Yorker

Juarez seems very far away now.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "very far away" in writing, consider the emotional context you want to evoke. The phrase can suggest longing, despair, or even relief, depending on the subject and tone of your text.

Common error

Avoid using "very far away" as a generic descriptor of distance when more precise language could be used. Instead of saying "The store is very far away", specify the distance in miles or minutes to provide clearer information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very far away" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying nouns to describe their distance. It enhances the description by adding emphasis, as seen in various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very far away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that intensifies the sense of distance, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's suitable for various contexts, with a primary application in news and media. When writing, use it to emphasize significant distance but consider more precise language if greater clarity is needed. While the phrase is generally versatile, being mindful of overuse and ensuring appropriateness for the intended audience is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely distant

Emphasizes the extent of the distance.

a great distance

Highlights the size or magnitude of the separation.

remotely located

Focuses on the location being isolated or hard to reach.

considerably afar

Uses a more formal tone to indicate distance.

significantly remote

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the remoteness.

well beyond reach

Highlights the inaccessibility of something.

far-off

A simpler, more common way to express distance.

miles away

Uses a specific unit of measurement to illustrate distance.

in the distance

Indicates that something can be seen or sensed but is not close.

out of range

Focuses on being beyond a certain limit or capability.

FAQs

How can I use "very far away" in a sentence?

Use "very far away" to describe something that is significantly distant, either physically or metaphorically. For instance, "The stars seem "extremely distant"" or "Success felt "a great distance"".

What can I say instead of "very far away"?

You can use alternatives such as ""extremely distant"", ""a great distance"", or "remotely located" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "very far away" or "too far away"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey different meanings. "Very far away" simply indicates a significant distance, while "too far away" suggests the distance is problematic or undesirable.

What's the difference between "very far away" and "far away"?

"Very far away" intensifies the sense of distance compared to "far away". The addition of "very" emphasizes the significance of the distance.