within a radius

USAGE SUMMARY

"within a radius" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular area or region in relation to a central point or object. For example, "The park is located within a radius of two miles from the city center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Four large financial buildings have gone up within a radius of two blocks.

The New Yorker

Such smoke grenades emit burning particles within a radius of about 55 feet, he said.

The New York Times

Within a radius of a hundred miles of Pittsburg, there are wrecked houses everywhere.

The New York Times

The only thing that you can say with confidence is that I have connected to a cell site somewhere within a radius of roughly twenty miles.

The New Yorker

In three days in April we visited eight missions, all within a radius of about 60 miles and barely 50 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The New York Times - Travel

The remote control works within a radius of about 20 metres while the app communicates via a Wi-Fi hub which then relays commands to the switches.

The Guardian - Business

It is bordered by four main highways, including the Long Island Expressway, and is surrounded by nine hospitals within a radius of 20 miles.

The New York Times

"There were five within a radius of five blocks," says the father, who is 86 and still comes in most days.

The New York Times

It will be only powerful enough to broadcast within a radius of 35 miles of N.Y. but E.T., Inc. hopes to open stations in other cities.

The New Yorker

Initially concentrated in the capital, Luanda, the disease has spread to three other cities within a radius of about 250 miles.

The New York Times

These systems are only marginally precise, being able on occasion to find callers within a radius of about 500 feet from a given cellular transmitting station.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "within a radius", ensure the context clearly defines the center point from which the radius is measured to avoid ambiguity. For example, "All buildings within a radius of 5 miles from the town hall must comply with the new regulations."

Common error

Avoid incorrectly stating the radius when you intend to specify the diameter (the distance across the circle through the center). If the area spans 10 miles across, clarify that it is a diameter, not a radius of 10 miles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within a radius" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or clauses by specifying a spatial extent or range around a central point. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

54%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within a radius" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies a spatial extent around a central point. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts but is most common in scientific and news media. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by defining the center point and use consistent units of measurement. Alternatives like "within a given distance" or "in the vicinity of" can be considered for stylistic variation, but "within a radius" provides precision that other options might lack.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within a given distance

Replaces "radius" with a more general term "distance", keeping the quantifiable aspect.

in a circular area around

Emphasizes the circular shape of the area, providing more clarity.

in a circumference of

Replaces "radius" with "circumference", focusing on the boundary of the area rather than the distance from the center. Slightly less common and precise than the original.

in a zone of

Uses "zone" to describe the area, implying a less precise or defined boundary compared to a radius.

in an area spanning

Focuses on the extent of the area, rather than the circular nature implied by "radius".

extending out to

Focuses on the outward reach from a central point, without explicitly mentioning a radius.

in proximity to

Indicates nearness to a point, but doesn't specify a precise distance or shape.

in the vicinity of

Similar to "in proximity to", suggesting nearness without a specific measurement.

surrounding area

A general term for the area around a point, lacking the quantifiable precision of "radius".

within the bounds of

Describes the limits of an area, implying a more general boundary than a precise circle.

FAQs

How can I use "within a radius" in a sentence?

Use "within a radius" to specify a circular area extending from a central point. For example, "All services are available "within a radius" of 5 kilometers from the city center."

What can I say instead of "within a radius"?

Alternatives include "within a given distance", "in the vicinity of", or "in proximity to", depending on the level of precision required.

Is it more accurate to say "within a radius" or "within a diameter"?

It depends on what you're measuring. "Radius" refers to the distance from the center of a circle to its edge, while "diameter" is the distance across the circle through the center. Choose the term that accurately reflects the measurement you're describing.

How does the context affect the use of "within a radius"?

The context determines the appropriate unit of measurement (e.g., miles, kilometers, meters) and the precision required. For instance, scientific contexts may require greater precision than general descriptions. Also, consider alternatives like "surrounding area" if precision isn't crucial.