Off/From

How to say right, "A long way off" or "A long way from"?

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Originally Posted by Mr.Lucky_One

How to say right, "A long way off" or "A long way from"?

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"Christmas is a long way off." (It is a long time between now and Christmas.) "Portsmouth is a long way from Edinburgh." (The distance between Portsmouth and Edinburgh is great.) These are just examples to illustrate that both are possible. There are other possible uses for them.

Thanks.
When I talk about distances in space, that something is far from me, have I always got to use "from" rather than "off"?

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Originally Posted by Mr.Lucky_One

Thanks.
When I talk about distances in space, that something is far from me, have I always got to use "from" rather than "off"?

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No, not always. You could say:

The ship was ten miles off of the African coast.
The distance between where I am and Chicago is 1,200 miles.

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Originally Posted by Gillnetter

No, not always. You could say:

The ship was ten miles off of the African coast.
The distance between where I am and Chicago is 1,200 miles.

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Hmm...
Have I got you right that I can say something like "China is a long way off." but I can't say "China is a long way off Brazil.", I have to say either "China is a long way from Brazil." or "China is a long way off of Brazil."?

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Originally Posted by Mr.Lucky_One

Hmm...
Have I got you right that I can say something like "China is a long way off." but I can't say "China is a long way off Brazil.", I have to say either "China is a long way from Brazil." or "China is a long way off of Brazil."?

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"China is a long way from Brazil."