a distance away

USAGE SUMMARY

"a distance away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the spatial relation between two places or objects. For example, "He spotted a deer a distance away in the meadow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reunions 2019 may seem a distance away, but it's never too early to start planning!

Princeton University

She had to park a distance away, because he was embarrassed by the car.

The New Yorker

I walked a distance away to see what the barracks looked like from the back.

The New Yorker

His sister Teresa, who lives quite a distance away, hardly ever lets her girls play outside.

The Economist

■ Local doesn't usually make much sense in urban areas, where farmland is a distance away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Jassem, speaking loud enough to be overheard tables a distance away, addressed the matter forthwith.

The New York Times

Anyway, during a family dinner, they're supposed to stay a distance away".

The New York Times

The location is found to be at a distance away from the indenter which correlate with experiments.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

If you have knowledge of points a distance away, the shape can be duplicated fairly directly (invert-invert-clean up).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And exhibitions will take place a distance away, at BronxArtSpace in the Mott Haven area of the South Bronx.

The New York Times - Arts

"Navigation warnings from other vessels and radar usually ensure they are spotted from quite a distance away.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a distance away", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being separated and the relevance of that separation to your overall point.

Common error

Avoid using "a distance away" without clearly specifying what the distance is measured from. For instance, instead of "The house was a distance away", specify "The house was a distance away from the town center".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distance away" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate spatial separation or remoteness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It specifies that something is located at some separation from another point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distance away" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate spatial separation. As Ludwig AI validates, its broad applicability makes it suitable for diverse writing contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles. The frequency analysis reveals its prevalence in media, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the distance is measured from. Remember that while versatile, selecting synonyms like "some distance away" or "off in the distance" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some distance away

Adds emphasis on the amount of separation.

a certain distance away

Specifies that the distance is definite but unspecified.

at a remove

Implies a detached or remote position.

separated by a space

Highlights the spatial separation between objects.

at some range

Suggests a variable or indefinite distance.

off in the distance

Indicates that something is visible but far away.

at an interval

Emphasizes regular spacing or separation.

afar

A more archaic term for "at or to a distance".

at arm's length

Figuratively means avoiding close contact or involvement.

in the periphery

Refers to being on the outer edges or fringes.

FAQs

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

Use "a distance away" to indicate spatial separation. For example, "The observer stood "some distance away" from the stage to get a better view".

What are some alternatives to "a distance away"?

Alternatives include "at a remove", "off in the distance", or "separated by a space", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a distance away" formal or informal?

"A distance away" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "at a remove" might be preferable in highly formal writing.

Does the meaning of "a distance away" change with different prepositions?

The core meaning remains the same, but prepositions can add specificity. For example, "a distance away from" specifies the reference point, while "a distance away in" might describe something located within a larger area.