a bit more distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit more distance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for additional space or separation in various contexts, such as physical distance or emotional distance. Example: "After our last conversation, I feel like I need a bit more distance to process my thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Handwriting would make these quotations too much mine, and stencils give it a bit more distance.

The New York Times - Arts

Beyond those, he said, there is the sense of America being less of a "closed society," and "less of a class-bound country," as well as a tradition among American politicians and reporters of keeping "a bit more distance" from each other than is common in the cozy world of Westminster.

The New York Times

In 2006, both Nokia and a revitalized Motorola pushed ahead and placed a bit more distance between themselves and Samsung.

Forbes

"It is possible to put relatively high amounts into the FOBTs and you can lose that at a touch of a button, whereas when people are placing a normal bet or when people play the national lottery there is a bit more distance".

BBC

Spend more time with other friends you enjoy, create a bit more distance between you and this friend, and see how things evolve over time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

People who are finicky about their hotel rooms have never had a problem haggling with the front desk to get sweeter lodgings – a bit more space, a little more distance from the ice machine, a grander view.

The New York Times

"As the year goes on we'll see horses that are going to need a little bit more distance and at that point we hope to see the depth of his ability to sire good horses.

The Guardian - Sport

Then my ideas got a bit more complicated: metacognitive distancing ("help people learn to step back from their thoughts"), emotional self-regulation ("help people step back from their emotions").

Huffington Post

Likewise, a bee may waggle a bit more quickly to indicate greater distance.

The Guardian - Opinion

The total distance was a bit more than 300 miles.

The New York Times

It warns ominously that the Myitsone site is "less than 100 kilometers from Myanmar's earthquake-prone Sagaing fault line," a distance of a bit more than 60 miles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bit more distance" to describe relationships, consider whether "space" or "separation" might be more appropriate to highlight the emotional or interpersonal aspect.

Common error

In academic or professional writing, overuse of "a bit more distance" can sound informal. Consider stronger, more precise language such as "greater separation", "increased remoteness", or "enhanced segregation" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit more distance" primarily functions as a noun phrase that quantifies and specifies an amount of separation. It often acts as an object of a verb or preposition, indicating the need for or existence of additional space or separation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bit more distance" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a need for or existence of additional separation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, but is most common in News & Media. While neutrally toned, it can be perceived as informal. For formal settings, consider "greater separation" or "increased remoteness". The examples show its application in physical, emotional, and abstract separation. When choosing alternatives, keep the context in mind. Phrases like "a little more separation" are very similar, while "somewhat more aloof" carries a different connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly greater distance

Emphasizes a marginal increase in separation.

a little more separation

Focuses on the act of separating rather than just the space.

somewhat more remote

Highlights the relative inaccessibility or isolation.

a tad further away

Uses more informal language to indicate increased distance.

marginally more distant

Indicates a small increase in how far something is.

a touch more space

Focuses on the physical space created or needed.

a shade more removed

Suggests a subtle distancing or detachment.

slightly increased gap

Highlights the difference or interval between two points.

a degree more separation

Emphasizes a formal or measurable amount of increased distance.

somewhat more aloof

Implies a sense of emotional distance or detachment from others.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit more distance" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit more distance" when you need to indicate a need for increased separation, either physically or emotionally. For instance, "After the argument, I needed "a bit more distance" to clear my head."

What's a more formal alternative to "a bit more distance"?

In formal contexts, you can replace "a bit more distance" with phrases like "greater separation", "increased remoteness", or "enhanced segregation" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "a bit more distance"?

While generally acceptable, "a bit more distance" is more suited to informal or neutral contexts. In highly formal or technical writing, consider using more precise and specific terminology.

How does "a bit more distance" differ from "a lot more distance"?

"A bit more distance" suggests a small increase in separation, while "a lot more distance" implies a significant increase. The choice depends on the degree of separation you want to convey.