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Zorina Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Far vs. a long way

Hi.

I’ve many times come across the statement that we should use far in questions and negative clauses and a long way in affirmative clauses. (for example http://www.perfectyourenglish.com/usage/far.htm ). Yet in some situations it feels more natural to use far:
  1. This tree is near here and that tree is far from here. (Or should I say “...that tree is a long way from here”?) (if I explain opposites to a child)
  2. He has already gone far away and couldn’t hear me. (Or shoud I say “He had already gone a long way away...”?)
Is that rule strictly followed by native speakers?
  

Top answer

If you are contrasting positions, then near / far is a very natural pair of opposites. Your example is a fine one: This tree is near here and that tree is far from here. This tree is near here and that tree is far away.

— AlpheccaStars

  • If you are contrasting positions, then near / far is a very natural pair of opposites.
  • Your example is a fine one: This tree is near here and that tree is far from here.
  • This tree is near here and that tree is far away.
  • He has already gone far away and couldn’t hear me.
  • I would not say this, because "go far away" means much further than shouting distance.
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2 Answers
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If you are contrasting positions, then near / far is a very natural pair of opposites. Your example is a fine one:

This tree is near here and that tree is far from here.

This tree is near here and that tree is far away.

He has already gone far away and couldn’t hear me. I would not say this, because "go far away" means much further
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Thank you very much AlpheccaStars for your answer.
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