within inches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within inches" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is very close to a specific measurement or distance. Example: "The car came to a stop within inches of the curb, avoiding a potential accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Contexts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was within inches of death.

The Guardian - Sport

The bonefish immediately responded, closing within inches.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Hodgins recently came within inches of dying of cancer.

The New York Times

Osgood even came within inches of scoring tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

Every shot landed within inches of the same spot.

The New York Times - Sports

I came within inches of weeing on the biggest hornet's nest I've ever seen.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was so close to the surface that plough ruts ran within inches of either side.

The Guardian

In 1988 he clipped a gorgeous 135-yard nine-iron to within inches of the cup.

The Guardian - Sport

The Boston Celtics came within inches of claiming the N.B.A. title on the Lakers' home court.

The New York Times - Sports

We come within inches of side panels and our tires rub up against bumpers.

The New York Times - Sports

During that time they have worked within inches of Laurance Fader, the associate principal violist.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within inches" to create a sense of immediacy or tension, particularly when describing near misses, close observations, or confined spaces.

Common error

Avoid using "within inches" when describing distances that are approximate or not precisely measured; opt for terms like "nearby" or "close by" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within inches" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the degree of proximity. It specifies how closely something approaches a particular point or object, adding detail to the action or state being described. Ludwig provides examples showing its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

General Contexts

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within inches" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote close proximity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatile application across news, sports, and general contexts. While alternatives like "nearly touching" or "in close proximity" exist, "within inches" effectively creates a sense of immediacy or tension. Remember to reserve it for situations where precise measurement is implied, and avoid its use for approximations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost touching

Emphasizes the extreme closeness, nearly making contact.

in close proximity

Emphasizes the nearness in a slightly more formal way.

at close range

Highlights the shortness of the distance, often in a context of observation or action.

just a hair's breadth away

Uses a more idiomatic and figurative expression to indicate a very small distance.

a stone's throw away

Indicates a short distance, easily reachable.

in the immediate vicinity

Focuses on the surrounding area, implying closeness.

in spitting distance

An informal idiom for very close proximity.

close by

A more concise way to indicate nearness.

nearby

A simple and direct way to express nearness.

a short distance away

Explicitly states that the distance is small.

FAQs

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

Use "within inches" to describe something that is extremely close to another object or a particular point. For example, "The bullet passed "within inches" of his head" or "The car stopped "within inches" of the edge of the cliff."

What are some alternatives to using "within inches"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly touching", "in close proximity", or "just a hair's breadth away" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "within inches" or "inches away"?

Both "within inches" and "inches away" are correct, but "within inches" emphasizes the closeness and proximity more directly. "Inches away" simply states the distance.

Can "within inches" be used figuratively?

While primarily used to describe physical proximity, "within inches" can be used figuratively to express being extremely close to achieving something or experiencing a particular outcome. For example, "The company came "within inches" of bankruptcy."