Slightly more distant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Slightly more distant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is at a greater distance than another object or point, but not by a large margin. Example: "The second star in the constellation is slightly more distant than the first one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Slightly more distant are internal-organ procedures (such as kidney transplant) and even further are procedures on bones and joints.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

One wishes that Mr. Felder had a slightly more distant perspective on his subject.

The New York Times

But the source is Annibale Carracci, a slightly more distant allusion that shows how Mr. Currin keeps you guessing.

The New York Times - Arts

Obama's successor might learn from this when — if — he produces an alternative plan for a slightly more distant and less dangerous future.

The Washington Post

It is accompanied in an only slightly more distant orbit by the whopper with a mass equivalent to more than 17 Jupiters.

The New York Times - Science

A slightly more distant observer, Michael McQueen, a former assistant city editor at The Herald who is now chairman of the journalism department at Florida International University, said: "I think the paper is doing pretty good on the Elian story.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

With the somewhat more distant starling the number of genes with reduced signals is slightly larger, and the number larger still with the kingbird DNA.

BMC Genomics

The northerners then likely mated with peoples who came in later from Asia, and so became slightly more genetically distant from Anzick.

Science Magazine

Now he makes 350-400 calls a year, charging $300-$300-$350ghtly more for distant or off-hour runs) and grosses an average of up to about $120,000.

Los Angeles Times

For example, numerous small-scale rearrangements have been documented between domestic sheep and the slightly more genetically distant domestic goat, Capra hircus [ 22], which can also interbreed with domestic sheep [ 23].

BMC Genomics

For a chromosome of length l = 1.632 M, the actual distribution is rather less dispersed than the Poisson for close relatives, but slightly more dispersed for more distant relatives.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly more distant" when you want to indicate a small difference in distance or remoteness, avoiding stronger terms that might overstate the separation. For example, "The second peak appeared only slightly more distant than the first."

Common error

Avoid using "slightly more distant" when the difference in distance is significant or easily noticeable. In such cases, choose terms like "considerably farther" or "much more remote" to accurately reflect the degree of separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly more distant" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree to which something is farther away. It modifies a noun or noun phrase by providing additional information about its location or position. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase describes the relative distance between objects or concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

54%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly more distant" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a subtle difference in distance or remoteness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. It is most frequently found in Science and News & Media contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure that the difference in distance is indeed slight to avoid overstatement. Consider alternatives like "marginally further" or "a bit more remote" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Marginally further

Indicates a small increase in distance, similar to the original phrase but with slightly different wording.

A bit more remote

Replaces "distant" with "remote", emphasizing inaccessibility or isolation to a small degree.

Somewhat more separated

Focuses on the separation aspect, implying a little more space between items.

A shade farther

Uses "farther" for distance and "a shade" to denote a slight increase.

Barely more afield

Emphasizes the location being slightly away from a central point or area.

Minimally more outlying

Highlights that something is situated on the periphery, but only slightly so.

Slightly more out of range

This suggests something is just beyond immediate reach or accessibility.

A touch more removed

Indicates a small degree of detachment or disconnection.

A whisker more beyond

Emphasizes that something is just a tiny bit further than something else.

Imperceptibly further away

This alternative highlights that something is so slightly further away than something else that it could be hard to notice.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly more distant" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly more distant" to describe something that is a little further away than something else. For example, "The planet is "slightly more distant" from the sun than Earth is".

What are some alternatives to "slightly more distant"?

Some alternatives include "marginally further", "a bit more remote", or "somewhat more separated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "slightly more distant"?

Yes, "slightly more distant" is grammatically correct. It combines an adverb ("slightly") with a comparative adjective phrase ("more distant") to indicate a small degree of increased distance.

What's the difference between "slightly more distant" and "much more distant"?

"Slightly more distant" indicates a small difference in distance, while "much more distant" indicates a significant difference. Use "slightly" when the difference is minimal and "much" when the difference is substantial.