Off/From

[Mr.Lucky_One]

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

 

[bhaisahab]

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

"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.

 

[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"?

 

[Gillnetter]

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

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.

 

[Mr.Lucky_One]

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.

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."?

 

[bhaisahab]

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."?

"China is a long way from Brazil."