noun
1
BAD : It was a long distance between the hotel and the beach.
GOOD : It was a long way from the hotel to the beach.
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When you want to say that two places are far apart, use a long way (NOT a long distance ): 'My flat is quite a long way from the university.' 'We're nearly half-way there, but there's still a long way to go.'
Compare: 'I hate driving long distances.' 'Computers can talk to each other, even over long distances.' 'Trains are best for long distance travel.'
2
BAD : The nearest town is in a distance of ten miles.
GOOD : The nearest town is ten miles away.
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One place is a number of miles/kilometres/yards etc away from another place: 'She was offered a job in Sheffield, about thirty miles away.' The secondary school is about five miles away.'