A significant distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A significant distance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a measurable gap or space between two points, often in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "The two cities are separated by a significant distance, making travel between them time-consuming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Admittedly the government has gone a significant distance.

The Guardian

On Wong's list, only Chengdu, Chongqing and Wuhan lie a significant distance from the ocean.

The New York Times

Drivers determined to make more than a few dollars often have rejected riders who are not traveling a significant distance.

The New York Times

Clinton was reportedly using the women's restroom, which was a significant distance away from the debate stage.

The Guardian

If people — including counterprotesters — want to get to the speech, they will have to walk a significant distance.

The Washington Post

Once in a great while, such facilities explode — causing damages and fatalities for a significant distance all around.

The Washington Post

Work stations in industrial spaces are frequently arranged at a significant distance from each other.

Energy and Buildings

2.16am: Tomescu still leads by a significant distance -- 55-odd seconds -- and Radcliffe is still just clinging on in the chasing pack.

The Guardian - Sport

The film put a significant distance between itself and the number two picture, Harry Potter, which made $14.8m£10.3m3m) in its fourth week of release.

The Guardian - Film

Aviation experts said that both could have traveled a significant distance from the spot at which they separated from the plane.

The New York Times

"If a firearms unit is the other side of the county they could be 70 miles away so you are talking a significant distance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant distance" to emphasize that the separation between two points or entities is noteworthy and relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant distance" in contexts where a simpler term like "far" or "distant" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant distance" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb of motion or separation. It describes the extent to which something is moved, separated, or located away from a reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

33%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant distance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to emphasize a notable separation, be it physical, temporal, or metaphorical. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability, suggesting it is an appropriate expression to convey a considerable gap or space. While versatile, it's best used when the distance or separation is intended to be emphasized as relevant or impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A considerable distance

Replaces "significant" with "considerable", indicating a distance worth noting.

A substantial distance

Substitutes "significant" with "substantial", emphasizing the largeness of the distance.

A notable distance

Uses "notable" instead of "significant", highlighting that the distance is worthy of attention.

A marked distance

Replaces "significant" with "marked", suggesting a clear and observable separation.

A long way

Offers a simpler, more informal way to express a considerable distance.

A good distance

Uses "good" to imply that the distance is quite far.

A fair distance

Employs "fair" to indicate a reasonably long distance.

A significant gap

Shifts focus from distance to the space or interval between two points.

A wide margin

Implies a substantial difference or separation, often in a figurative sense.

A considerable stretch

Focuses on the length of the distance, particularly applicable in spatial contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant distance" in a sentence?

You can use "a significant distance" to describe the separation between two locations, ideas, or achievements. For example, "The two cities are separated by a significant distance" or "Her latest novel shows a significant distance in writing quality from her earlier works".

What are some alternatives to "a significant distance"?

Some alternatives include "a considerable distance", "a substantial distance", or "a notable distance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "significant distance" or "a significant distance"?

While both are acceptable, "a significant distance" is more common when referring to a measurable separation. "Significant distance" without the article is less frequent but not incorrect, especially in more technical contexts.

What's the difference between "a significant distance" and "a long way"?

"A significant distance" tends to be more formal and precise, while "a long way" is generally more informal. "A significant distance" often implies a distance that has specific relevance or impact, whereas "a long way" simply indicates a considerable separation.