a distant one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is far away in terms of physical distance, emotional connection, or time. Example: "In the vast universe, our planet is just a distant one among countless others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Even the prospect of his visiting Germany is presented as a distant one, relying on some kind of resolution to his exile in Russia.

The Guardian

The closeness of a possibility as it figures in (ii) is to be understood, at first pass, in terms of what we can reasonably rely on: a possibility is a distant one just in case we can reasonably rely on it not obtaining; otherwise it is a close one (Peacocke 1999, 310).

SEP

The chance of getting electoral reform may be a distant one, but it is the best on offer.

The Guardian

FRANÇOIS D'ASSISE' -- Having just played in Berlin, Messiaen's great opera alights on our shores (though a distant one for New Yorkers).

The New York Times - Arts

As observed previously [ 1, 9, 42], under WAG, the position of nematodes is strongly dependent on the outgroup (figure 1A,B): when a distant one (fungi) is used, nematodes are found at the base of the coelomates (arthropods and deuterostomes), whereas they are sister-group of arthropods (together called Ecdysozoa [ 15]), when two choanoflagellates and a cnidarian are added to the outgroup.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

She is determined to ensure that the threat of external regulation remains a distant one, says the Conservative peer and barrister, despite recent headlines about alleged malpractice on Fleet Street.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Furthermore, parents can pass on identical chromosomal segments to a child even when the relationship between them is a very distant one, which creates a continuum of homozygous length, depending on the degree of shared ancestry and its age [ 15].

BMC Genomics

The results in table 1 show that amino acid repeats are sufficient to distinguish between a series of related species and a more distant one, even if the outgroup shares a similar nucleic acid content to the members of the group.

Plosone

Because it has a fixed focus, and not a very distant one.

TechCrunch

That other individual, even within reach of only five or six phone calls, is, right now, only an anonymous other -- and a very distant one at that.

Huffington Post

And Tom Stewart, though a sympathetic and interesting character, is also a somewhat distant one.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distant one" to emphasize the remoteness, either in time, space, or relationship, adding a layer of meaning beyond simple distance.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant one" when you simply mean 'far away'. The phrase often implies a sense of emotional or conceptual separation, not just physical distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant one" functions as a nominal phrase, where "distant" is an adjective modifying the implicit noun "one". Ludwig AI shows that this phrase typically serves to describe something as being remote, either in space, time, or relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distant one" is a versatile expression used to convey remoteness in various contexts, including physical distance, emotional connection, and likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. While alternatives like "a faraway one" or "an unlikely one" exist, "a distant one" carries a unique connotation of emotional or conceptual separation. The key is to use it when emphasizing this sense of remoteness, avoiding simple descriptions of physical distance. When used correctly, this adds a nuanced and expressive quality to writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a faraway one

Emphasizes physical remoteness or being geographically far.

a remote one

Highlights inaccessibility or being isolated in terms of interaction.

an unlikely one

Shifts the focus to the low probability of something happening.

a tenuous connection

Focuses on the weakness or fragility of a link or relationship.

a slim chance

Directly addresses the low likelihood of an event.

a vague possibility

Highlights the lack of clarity and definition of a prospective event.

a theoretical prospect

Emphasizes that the prospect is only existing in theory.

a faint hope

Stresses the weakness or diminished nature of hope.

a negligible risk

Indicates that the risk is so small it's barely worth considering.

a disconnected entity

Highlights the lack of connection between two or more things.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distant one" to describe something that is far away in space, time, or relationship. For example, "The hope of a ceasefire remains "a distant one"." or "He used to be a close friend, but now he's "a distant one"."

What are some alternatives to "a distant one"?

Some alternatives include "a faraway one", "an unlikely possibility", or "a remote prospect", depending on the context. The best choice will depend on whether you are emphasizing physical distance, probability, or emotional connection.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a distant one"?

Yes, "a distant one" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It is commonly found in reputable publications and is considered standard usage.

What's the difference between "a distant one" and "a far one"?

"A distant one" often carries a connotation of emotional or conceptual separation, or low probability, whereas "a far one" typically refers only to physical distance. While both are grammatically correct, their usage depends on the intended nuance.