a distant image

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant image" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a visual representation that is far away or not clearly defined. Example: "As I gazed into the horizon, I could see a distant image of a mountain range shrouded in mist."

✓ Grammatically correct

Medical Hypotheses

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It overrides the information generated by depth perception to bring a distant image into focus.

Medical Hypotheses

The astigmatic eye can still bring a near image into focus, but a distant image remains aberrant.

Medical Hypotheses

It overrides the response to the information generated by depth perception to bring a distant image into focus.

Medical Hypotheses

Desire, in other words, is a distant image that guides us like the North Star but is never reached.

The New York Times

"I never had a Che T-shirt or poster because ever since I was a kid, I saw him, like many people do, as a distant image," the 25-year-old Mexican actor Gael García Bernal, who plays Che in the movie, confessed to reporters at Cannes last week.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For that reason, he said, editors chose a relatively distant image of Mr. Stevens, and placed it in the last position in the frequently updated gallery, where it would be less prominent.

The New York Times

This sense of guilt seems fairly general... We've held off buying a set ourself not from fear that we'd be ashamed to look into it...but from a suspicion that the distant image might prove less charming than the near one.

The New Yorker

It is something so many people try to forget, save a few distant images on screens or words uttered in calm monotone on NPR while we drink our morning coffee.

Huffington Post

Once you do take a closer look, however, it becomes clear that as images meant to be read by touch rather than sight, some of Faría's illustrations work better than others — those feathers and leaves, for instance, nicely approximate their real-world counterparts in scale, as opposed to the distant image of a kite in the air.

The New York Times - Books

Although they can only be seen in the mirror reflection, their distant image occupies a central position in the canvas, in terms of social hierarchy as well as composition.

Wikipedia

In one psychologically distant image Mr. Gursky examines a section of the porous wall, while his teenage son, in a hoodie and sneakers, turns his back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a distant image", ensure the context clearly establishes the nature of the distance (physical, temporal, emotional, etc.) for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant image" metaphorically when a more direct and specific description would be clearer. Overusing abstract imagery can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant image" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "distant" modifies the noun "image". It describes the characteristic of the image being far away, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig's examples showcase this adjectival modification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distant image" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something visually or conceptually remote. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is infrequent and typically found in neutral contexts like news and scientific articles, but can be used metaphorically. When writing, ensure the context clarifies the intended distance for clarity, avoiding overuse in abstract descriptions. Consider alternatives like "a far-off picture" or "a remote vision" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a far-off picture

Replaces 'distant' with 'far-off', emphasizing the remoteness of the image.

a remote vision

Substitutes 'image' with 'vision', suggesting a more dreamlike or imaginative quality.

a faraway view

Uses 'faraway' to describe the distance and 'view' to refer to the scene observed.

a blurred outline

Focuses on the lack of clarity rather than the distance.

a faint impression

Highlights the weak or indistinct nature of the image.

a hazy memory

Implies the image is not only distant but also belongs to the past.

an indistinct form

Emphasizes the lack of clear definition in the image.

a spectral presence

Suggests a ghostly or ethereal quality to the distant image.

a receding figure

Focuses on the act of moving away rather than just the distance.

a background element

Puts importance on context rather than the image itself.

FAQs

How can I use "a distant image" in a sentence?

"A distant image" can describe something physically far away, like "The telescope revealed "a distant image" of a nebula", or something emotionally detached, like "His childhood memories felt like "a distant image" now".

What's a good alternative to "a distant image"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a far-off picture", "a remote vision", or "a faraway view".

Is it better to say "distant image" or "far image"?

"Distant image" is generally preferred over "far image". "Distant" implies a greater separation and is more commonly used in this context.

Can "a distant image" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "a distant image" can be used metaphorically to describe something that feels emotionally or psychologically remote, such as "His past successes were now just "a distant image" in his mind".