within a few feet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within a few feet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a distance that is close, typically in contexts involving measurements or spatial relationships. Example: "The treasure was buried within a few feet of the old oak tree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Technology

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Again and again they approach us within a few feet.

The New York Times

The Braves twice came within a few feet of scoring.

The New York Times - Sports

"You can only hear it within a few feet.

The New York Times - Arts

The brothers died within a few feet of each other.

The New York Times

"They can get it down to within a few feet".

The New York Times - Tech

But I stood frozen as he advanced to within a few feet.

The New York Times - Magazine

From 45 feet, he putted within a few feet and missed his par try.

The New York Times - Sports

The bomb, hidden in his turban, detonated within a few feet of Mr. Rabbani.

The New York Times

"He was always within a few feet of me," she said.

The Guardian - Books

The otters sometimes cruised within a few feet of my blind.

The New York Times - Sports

He judges it beautifully, the ball rolling back to within a few feet.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within a few feet" to provide a clear, easily understandable sense of proximity when describing spatial relationships or distances in writing. It's particularly effective when precision isn't critical, but the reader needs to grasp how close something is.

Common error

Avoid using "within a few feet" when a more precise measurement is available or necessary. If you know the exact distance (e.g., three feet), stating that provides clearer information for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within a few feet" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It describes the degree of closeness or proximity, indicating something is nearby, as demonstrated in many Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Sports

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Travel

7%

Technology

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within a few feet" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a short distance or proximity. According to Ludwig, it's widely used in news, sports, and other general contexts. When writing, prioritize precision by giving the exact measurement if possible; otherwise, "within a few feet" provides an easily understood sense of nearness. Remember that it's essential to use this phrase when you need to approximate a short distance, otherwise consider more descriptive alternatives like "nearby" or "in close proximity" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short distance away

Replaces the measurement with a more general indicator of proximity.

just a few paces from

Uses 'paces' to quantify the short distance.

in close proximity

Emphasizes closeness using a more formal tone.

nearby

A simple and direct way to indicate that something is not far.

practically adjacent

Emphasizes that something is very close to being next to something else.

in the vicinity

Similar to "nearby" but slightly more formal.

just around the corner

Suggests a short and easily navigable distance, especially in urban settings.

a stone's throw away

An idiomatic expression indicating a very short distance.

in immediate surroundings

Highlights the area directly around something or someone.

a hop, skip, and a jump from

An informal, playful way to describe a very short distance.

FAQs

How can I use "within a few feet" in a sentence?

You can use "within a few feet" to describe the proximity of two objects or people. For example, "The deer approached "within a few feet" of the house" or "The suspect was found "within a few feet" of the crime scene".

What's a more formal way to say "within a few feet"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "in close proximity" or "a short distance away" instead of "within a few feet".

Is it better to use an exact measurement instead of "within a few feet"?

If the exact measurement is known and relevant, it's generally better to use that for precision. "Within a few feet" is suitable when an approximation is sufficient.

What are some alternatives to "within a few feet" that aren't necessarily about physical distance?

While "within a few feet" typically refers to physical space, you might use it metaphorically. However, in most cases, alternatives like "nearly", "almost", or "just about" would be more appropriate for non-spatial contexts.