a distance apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distance apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the physical space or separation between two or more objects or people. Example: "The two houses are situated a distance apart, providing each family with ample privacy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

What we're going to do in forming a molecule is just bring these two orbitals close together such that now we have their nucleus, the two nuclei, at a distance apart that's equal to the bond length.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Wenger was asked to give an update on the situation after Arsenal's 3-2 home win against Swansea City on Saturday – in which Özil scored his team's third goal – and it was plain the parties remain a distance apart.

The Guardian - Sport

The same is true for gravity in the example you mention: someone (or something) does work to place the balls a distance apart (think about how much work you would do to carry a bowling ball to the top floor of a skyscraper using the stairs; you do indeed do work to separate the bowling ball, object 1, from the Earth, object 2!).

Cornell University

You and the other party will most likely be quite a distance apart - that's natural and to be expected.

Forbes

"The idea of the Sonic Cruiser is to provide a great flying machine for city pairs that are of a moderate size, quite a distance apart and fall into the category of what we call the long, thin route," says Walter B. Gillette Walter B. Gillette, Boeing's vice president in charge of the Sonic Cruiser program.

Forbes

It is best to choose between East Africa and Southern Africa, which are quite a distance apart.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For despite the fact that I already had a girl and a boy, a neat distance apart, I had a burning, overwhelming desire for that third baby.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An example of an optical illusion: two alternately flashing lights, placed at a critical distance apart, give an illusion of a light passing back and forth between one spot and the adjacent one.

The Guardian - Books

Have the kids stand in a line a safe distance apart.

WikiHow

The subject stood with feet a comfortable distance apart behind a line perpendicular and adjacent to a wall (foot position noted for each subject).

Clinical interventions in aging

To do a calf raise, simply stand with your legs a hips' distance apart and hold on to a surface like a chair or a table with your hands.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial arrangements, use "a distance apart" to clearly convey that objects or individuals are not adjacent but have some space separating them. Be mindful of the scale; specify if it's a short, considerable, or fixed distance.

Common error

Avoid using "a distance apart" vaguely. Always provide context or qualifiers (e.g., "a short distance apart", "a considerable distance apart") to clarify the extent of the separation. Without context, the phrase can be ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distance apart" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the spatial relationship between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correctly used to indicate physical separation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distance apart" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase employed to describe the spatial separation between objects or individuals. As Ludwig AI explains, it is effective in various contexts, spanning from formal academic writing to general descriptive content. While not exceptionally frequent, it maintains a solid presence across news media, academic papers, and instructional wikis. When using the phrase, ensure that the scale of the distance is appropriately qualified to avoid ambiguity, clarifying whether it's a short, considerable, or specified distance. Alternatives such as "separated by some space" or "with a gap between" can provide similar meaning, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distanced from each other

Highlights the relationship between the separated items.

with a gap between

Directly refers to the empty space that exists in between.

separated by some space

Emphasizes the physical separation with a more general term.

set apart

Suggests a deliberate act of creating space.

separated by a span

Uses 'span' to emphasize the dimension of the distance.

at an interval

Highlights the regularity or planned nature of the separation.

spread out

Implies a wider or less concentrated distribution.

spaced out

Informal way to describe items positioned with gaps between them.

at a remove

More formal, indicating a degree of separation or detachment.

some way off

Focuses on the extent of the separation, implying a significant gap.

FAQs

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

Use "a distance apart" to describe objects or people that are separated by space. For example, "The houses were built "a distance apart" to ensure privacy."

What phrases are similar to "a distance apart"?

Alternatives include "separated by some space", "with a gap between", or "distanced from each other". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context of separation.

Is it more formal to say "a distance apart" or "spaced out"?

"A distance apart" is generally more formal and appropriate for academic or professional contexts. "Spaced out" is more informal and suitable for casual conversation or less formal writing.

How does "a distance apart" differ from "a distance away"?

"A distance apart" emphasizes the separation between two or more things, while "a distance away" typically refers to the separation of one thing from a reference point. For example, "The buildings are a distance apart" versus "The town is a distance away from the coast."