Faraway vs. Far Away – Which is Correct?

The choice between faraway and far away depends on their grammatical function. Faraway is a single-word adjective describing a noun, like a “faraway land.” Far away is a two-word adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, indicating distance, as in “The town is far away.” Both are grammatically correct and widely used, but not interchangeable.

Faraway or Far Away – Which is Correct?

Both faraway and far away are grammatically correct in American English, but they serve different purposes within a sentence. The key distinction lies in their grammatical roles: faraway functions exclusively as an adjective, while far away operates as an adverbial phrase. Understanding this fundamental difference is crucial for correct usage.

The confusion often arises because both convey a sense of distance. However, an adjective modifies a noun, telling us “what kind” or “which one,” whereas an adverbial phrase modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, telling us “how,” “when,” “where,” or “to what extent.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To easily remember when to use each, apply the “Adjective-Noun Test.” If you can place the word directly before a noun to describe it, then faraway (the adjective) is likely correct. If the phrase describes the action of a verb or the degree of another adjective, indicating distance, then far away (the adverbial phrase) is the appropriate choice.

Think of it this way:

• Faraway describes things (a faraway place, a faraway look).
• Far away describes how or where an action occurs or how distant something is (The bird flew far away, The destination is far away).

Word/Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Faraway	Adjective	Distant, remote; dreamy or abstracted.	She often dreamed of living in a faraway land.
Far away	Adverbial Phrase	At or to a great distance.	The stars seemed incredibly far away tonight.

How to Use Faraway

The word faraway functions exclusively as an adjective. This means it modifies a noun, providing more information about it. It can describe a physical distance, as in “a faraway galaxy,” or it can describe a non-physical state, such as an expression or thought, implying dreaminess, detachment, or deep contemplation, as in “a faraway look in her eyes.” Its single-word form emphasizes its role as a direct descriptor.

Example 1: The explorer yearned to discover a faraway island untouched by civilization.

Example 2: She had a faraway gaze, lost in memories of her childhood.

Example 3: Communication with the faraway outpost proved challenging due to extreme weather.

What are the different forms of Faraway?

As an adjective, faraway can be used in its base form or in comparative and superlative degrees, although the comparative and superlative forms are less common and often expressed with “more faraway” or “most faraway” rather than inflected forms.

• Positive: faraway (e.g., a faraway star)
• Comparative: more faraway (e.g., an even more faraway galaxy)
• Superlative: most faraway (e.g., the most faraway corner of the universe)

Etymology of the word Faraway

The word faraway is a compound adjective formed by combining the adverb “far” and the adverb “away.” It began to be used as a single-word adjective in the late 18th century, with its meaning evolving to specifically describe nouns, rather than just indicating distance. This linguistic development solidified its distinct role from the two-word adverbial phrase.

How to Use Far Away

The phrase far away functions as an adverbial phrase, meaning it modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by indicating distance. It answers the question “where?” or “how far?” It is typically used after the verb it modifies or after a linking verb where it describes the subject’s location or state of being. Unlike the adjective “faraway,” it cannot directly precede a noun to describe it.

Example 1: The children waved goodbye as the train pulled far away down the tracks.

Example 2: Despite the journey, their spirits remained high even though home was still far away.

Example 3: He ventured far away into the wilderness, seeking solitude.

What are the different forms of Far Away?

As an adverbial phrase, far away does not have different “forms” in the same way that verbs have tenses or nouns have plurals. Its components, “far” and “away,” are independent words that combine to create a phrase indicating distance. While “far” itself can have comparative and superlative forms (farther/further, farthest/furthest), the phrase “far away” remains constant in its structure. You might say “even farther away” or “much farther away” to intensify the distance, but the core phrase “far away” doesn’t change its form.

Etymology of the word Far Away

The phrase far away combines two Old English words: “feorr” (meaning “far, distant”) and “aweg” (meaning “on one’s way, from a place”). “Far” as an adverb dates back to Old English, and “away” also has ancient Germanic roots. The combination of these two elements into an adverbial phrase to express considerable distance has been a standard construction in English for centuries, long before “faraway” emerged as a single-word adjective.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts like adjectives and adverbial phrases can significantly clarify the distinction between faraway and far away.

• Adjectives: Words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns. They provide information about qualities, quantities, or characteristics. Faraway is an adjective because it directly describes a noun (e.g., “a faraway dream”).
• Adverbs and Adverbial Phrases: Words or groups of words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They often answer questions like “how,” “when,” “where,” or “to what extent.” Far away is an adverbial phrase because it modifies a verb or adjective, indicating distance (e.g., “The bird flew far away,” “The town is far away”).

Examples from Media and Literature

• In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins often dreams of adventure in faraway lands.
• “The stars are far away,” she whispered, gazing up at the night sky, “but they still shine brightly.”
• The classic song “Faraway Eyes” by The Rolling Stones describes a person with a dreamy, distant look.
• NASA’s Voyager 1 probe has traveled incredibly far away from Earth, now in interstellar space.
• From the novel, “He remembered the warmth of his childhood home, a seemingly faraway memory now.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence.

1. The old wizard lived in a ______ castle, hidden deep within the mountains.
2. After the argument, she walked ______ to cool down.
3. He had a ______ look, as if his mind was drifting somewhere else.
4. The spaceship journeyed ______ beyond our solar system.
5. She often reminisced about her ______ youth, filled with carefree days.

Answer Key

1. faraway
2. far away
3. faraway
4. far away
5. faraway

Faraway Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Remote	Distant from the main centers of population; isolated.
Distant	Far off in space or time.
Abstracted	Lost in thought; preoccupied.
Dreamy	Having a magical or pleasantly unreal quality; given to daydreams.
Secluded	Not seen or visited by many people; sheltered and private.

Far Away Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
A long distance off	Referring to a considerable spatial separation.
At a great remove	Indicating a significant distance or separation.
Miles off	Informal way to say a great distance.
Out of reach	Beyond one’s grasp or access due to distance.
Distant	Separated in space or time; far off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “faraway” and “far away” ever be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot. While both relate to distance, their grammatical functions are distinct. “Faraway” is an adjective describing a noun, whereas “far away” is an adverbial phrase describing a verb or an adjective. Using one for the other would result in grammatical error or awkward phrasing.

Question 2: Is one form more formal than the other?
Neither “faraway” nor “far away” is inherently more formal. Their usage depends entirely on the grammatical context. Both are standard and appropriate in both formal and informal writing and speech, provided they are used correctly according to their parts of speech.

Question 3: Does “faraway” always imply a physical distance?
Not necessarily. While “faraway” can describe a physical distance (e.g., a “faraway land”), it can also describe a non-physical state, such as an expression or thought, implying dreaminess, abstraction, or being lost in thought (e.g., a “faraway look” or “faraway memories”).

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between faraway and far away is a clear indicator of precise English usage. Remember that faraway is a single-word adjective used to describe nouns, often conveying remoteness or a dreamy quality. In contrast, far away is a two-word adverbial phrase that modifies verbs or adjectives, specifying distance. By applying the Adjective-Noun Test and understanding their grammatical roles, you can confidently choose the correct form every time.

Pro Tip: Paying close attention to such nuances in language not only enhances clarity but also bolsters your credibility as a communicator. Incorrect usage, even of seemingly minor differences, can subtly undermine your professional reputation.