within spitting distance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within spitting distance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is very close to another thing, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "The new restaurant is within spitting distance of the park, making it a convenient spot for visitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NOT all basketball fans live within spitting distance of their favorite team.

The New York Times

Combined, the two parties would be within spitting distance of the PS.

The Economist

Albanian Islam is broad-based and tolerant, with Tirana's Catholic and Orthodox churches within spitting distance of the city's mosque.

The Guardian - Travel

It's an apt name for the remarkable new facility taking shape within spitting distance of the Infinite Corridor.

MIT Technology Review

The Wharf is home to three venues within spitting distance of one another, and I've caught several concerts at each.

The Washington Post

The MIT scientists are all serious people and perhaps they are within spitting distance of one of science's holy grails.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mainz 05's excellent 2-1 over Nürnberg lifted them to within spitting distance of the European places.

The Guardian - Sport

At just 128 miles from Dublin, the plant is within spitting distance of Ireland's densely populated eastern seaboard.

The Guardian - Opinion

A narcissistic bully is admired so much that he's within spitting distance of being president of the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now my ball was a good 10 yards past Darrell's ball and within spitting distance of Lee's ball.

The New York Times

This is Silicon Valley's "ground zero within spitting distance of the most influential tech companies from Apple to Yahoo".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "within spitting distance of", consider your audience. While generally acceptable, it may not be appropriate for highly formal or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "within spitting distance of" when the intended meaning is merely similarity or resemblance, rather than genuine proximity, either physical or metaphorical. Instead, use phrases like "similar to" or "comparable to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within spitting distance of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate proximity. Ludwig's examples show it describing the nearness of physical locations or metaphorical states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within spitting distance of" is a common and generally acceptable prepositional phrase used to indicate close proximity. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media sources. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where a touch of informality is appropriate. When writing, consider the audience and aim, opting for more formal alternatives like "in close proximity to" when necessary. Remember that "within spitting distance of" is used to emphasize actual closeness, either physical or metaphorical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a stone's throw from

Classic idiom indicating a short distance, focusing on physical closeness.

very near to

Emphasizes closeness in proximity, lacking the idiomatic flair of the original phrase.

a short distance from

A straightforward and neutral way of expressing nearness.

in close proximity to

A more formal way of expressing nearness, suitable for professional contexts.

hardly any distance from

Highlights the minimal separation between two points.

in the vicinity of

Indicates the general area or surroundings, less precise than "within spitting distance of".

in the neighborhood of

Suggests a broader area, implying nearness but not necessarily direct adjacency.

next door to

Implies direct adjacency, often used for buildings or locations that share a boundary.

a hop, skip, and a jump away from

An informal and playful way of indicating a very short distance.

on the verge of

Indicates being close to achieving a metaphorical state or condition, rather than physical proximity.

FAQs

How can I use "within spitting distance of" in a sentence?

You can use "within spitting distance of" to describe physical proximity, like "The hotel is "just a stone's throw from" the beach", or to indicate that something is nearly achieved, such as "The company is "on the verge of" reaching its sales goals".

What are some alternatives to "within spitting distance of"?

Alternatives include "very near to", "in close proximity to", or "just a stone's throw from" depending on the context.

Is "within spitting distance of" appropriate for formal writing?

While "within spitting distance of" is widely understood, it's generally considered an informal expression. For formal writing, consider using more neutral phrases like "in close proximity to" or "a short distance from".

Can "within spitting distance of" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "within spitting distance of" can be used metaphorically to indicate that someone is close to achieving something, such as "The team is "on the verge of" winning the championship".