a distant sixth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant sixth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a position or ranking that is significantly lower than the leading positions, often in a competitive context. Example: "In the race, she finished a distant sixth, far behind the top contenders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Lenin came in a distant sixth.

The Guardian

Abel Kirui is a two-time world champion, but he drifted to a distant sixth Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

Again United went to Anfield in sixth, but a distant sixth, a hopeless sixth.

The Guardian - Sport

Of six tier-one teams in Europe, Italy are a distant sixth.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Dodd had moved his wife and children to Des Moines to try to eke out at least a fourth-place finish, but finished a distant sixth.

The New York Times

And Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, who won a straw poll of Republican voters here in August but saw her support dwindle in recent months, was a distant sixth, reflecting a primary race of extraordinarily volatility.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

They finished a distant third.

The New York Times

Stanford was a distant fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

Texas is a distant third.

The New York Times

France was a distant fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

NBC ranked a distant fourth.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distant sixth" to clearly indicate a ranking or position that is significantly lower than the leaders in a competition, election, or other ranked list.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant sixth" when the ranking is only slightly behind the leaders. This phrase implies a considerable gap.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant sixth" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "sixth". It describes the position in a ranking or competition, emphasizing the significant gap between that position and the leaders. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Sports

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distant sixth" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a ranking or position that is significantly behind the leaders. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples from authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms its frequent use in news, sports, and political contexts. The phrase serves to emphasize the considerable gap between the sixth position and those ahead. While versatile, it's important to use it accurately, ensuring a real considerable gap exists in that ranking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far behind in sixth place

Replaces "distant" with "far behind" to emphasize the considerable gap.

sixth place, trailing significantly

Highlights the trailing aspect using "significantly" to describe the distance.

considerably behind in sixth position

Uses "considerably" to indicate a large margin in the ranking.

a remote sixth position

Substitutes "distant" with "remote" to suggest a significant separation.

lagging in sixth spot

Replaces the idea of 'distance' with 'lagging' to convey being behind.

a long way back in sixth

Emphasizes the physical or metaphorical distance with "a long way back".

sixth, with a substantial gap

Focuses on the gap or margin separating the sixth position from others.

well behind in sixth place

Employs "well behind" to underscore the considerable distance.

sixth, a significant distance behind

Explicitly states the distance is significant.

in sixth place by a wide margin

Highlights the wide margin separating the sixth position.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distant sixth" to describe someone or something that is far behind in a competition or ranking. For example, "The candidate finished "a distant sixth" in the election".

What's a similar way to say "a distant sixth"?

Alternatives to "a distant sixth" include phrases like "far behind in sixth place", or "sixth place, trailing significantly", which also convey a significant gap.

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

Yes, "a distant sixth" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reports, sports analyses, and political commentary where accurate descriptions of rankings are necessary.

What does "a distant sixth" imply about the person or thing being described?

Using "a distant sixth" implies that the person or thing being described is not only in sixth place but also significantly behind the leaders, suggesting a considerable difference in performance or support.