a distant match

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant match" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a comparison or similarity that is not very close or direct, often in contexts like sports, relationships, or data analysis. Example: "The two teams had a distant match in terms of their playing styles, but the outcome was still unpredictable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the designated goal-kick taker for their sides, many Sunday league centre-halves can confirm that fetching a distant match ball in preparation for this moment is one of the more soul-destroying aspects of life at around 11am on every Sunday between September and May.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A club statement said: "The club is in talks with some airlines to form a partnership so that the players can travel by plane to distant match venues.

BBC

An example of how such matrix looks like is presented in Figure 7. Figure 6 Example of correspondences distance d gh of (10). Figure 7 A distance matrix DM: blue dots represent low relative distance, while red ones identify distant matches.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

And now we sit, like Philby in his Moscow flat, studying scorecards from distant matches, mourning what once was, pining after what might have been.

The Guardian - Sport

But what I found most interesting of the distant matches -- the ADAMS connection.

Huffington Post

Even if you only have more distant matches in the DNA database (beyond 2nd cousins), comparing the family trees of your matches collectively may help identify ancestral surnames or couples appearing in numerous trees suggesting these ancestors are relevant to you.

HuffPost

The reason why there is a lower limit on the E-value is because we are particularly interested in the distant matches, which represent novel subfamilies, not currently in TCDB.

Briefings in Bioinformatics

The RNAase P gene (rnpB) sequence had more distant matching (95.6%) with sequences of B. weissi (GenBank accession no. AF376050) and B. sp. Deer 159/660/1 (95.7%) (GenBank accession no. AF376051).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

And so in A Distant Drum I have matched him with his nemesis, a white South African cop of the 60s.

The Guardian - Music

A relatively dull 0-0 draw in the second leg gave Swindon the chance to gain promotion for the second season on the bounce, but this looked a distant dream as the matches with Gillingham progressed.

The Guardian - Sport

The Gasquet of old was a distant memory in a quarterfinal match against David Ferrer, one of the toughest outs in the game.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distant match" when describing a connection or similarity that is not immediately obvious or strong. It's suitable for contexts where the relationship is tenuous or requires further analysis to be appreciated.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant match" when the relationship is actually strong or obvious. This can mislead your audience and undermine the credibility of your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant match" functions as a noun phrase, where "distant" modifies the noun "match". Ludwig AI confirms its usability. This phrase describes a comparison or similarity that is not close or direct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distant match" is a phrase used to describe a weak or indirect relationship between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used. While the phrase appears across various domains, it's most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of a qualified, rather than strong, connection. Alternatives like "remote similarity" or "weak resemblance" may be used depending on the desired nuance. Avoid using the phrase if the connection is strong or obvious, as this can mislead the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Remote similarity

Focuses on the lack of direct connection between the two subjects.

Weak resemblance

Highlights the subtle and not immediately apparent similarities.

Indirect correlation

Implies a link, but not a direct or obvious one.

Loose connection

Suggests a minimal or easily broken link.

Tenous link

Emphasizes the fragility and uncertainty of the relationship.

Faint echo

Uses a metaphor to describe a weak and attenuated similarity.

Distant parallel

Highlights the similarity in trajectories of two events or subjects.

Remote chance

Shifts the focus to possibility rather than similarity.

Implausible comparison

Emphasizes the difficulty to compare two items together.

Unlikely counterpart

Suggests that the match is improbable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distant match" to describe a comparison or similarity that is not very close or direct. For example, "The two theories have "a distant match" in their underlying principles, but diverge significantly in their practical applications."

What's the difference between ""a distant match"" and "a close match"?

"A distant match" implies a weak or indirect connection, whereas "a close match" indicates a strong and obvious similarity.

What can I say instead of ""a distant match""?

You can use alternatives like "remote similarity", "weak resemblance", or "indirect correlation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a distant match" in formal writing?

Yes, "a distant match" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing complex relationships or data that require nuanced interpretation. Just ensure the context clearly supports the qualified connection you're describing.