a distant sort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant sort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not close in proximity or relationship, often in a figurative sense. Example: "He has a distant sort of charm that draws people in, even if they don't know him well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He described Samy as having a "distant sort of smile".

The Guardian

Yet he could not help being fond of the place, in a distant sort of way.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mohamed Amimour, 67, spoke about his failed attempt to extract his son, Samy, from the control of Isis commanders, telling the French newspaper Le Monde afterwards how he had been greeted with coldness and "a distant sort of smile".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And in a vague, distant sort of way, I guess I'm glad that Carly Fiorina is the head of Hewlett-Packard and that actresses as young as Drew Barrymore can get their own production companies nowadays.

The New York Times - Magazine

The thing is, when you get up close to a good oak tree – ancient, magnificent, wise and huge, exuding a sort of earthy, healthy smell, put your ear up to the trunk and swear you can feel a creaking, distant sort of heartbeat, thu dum thu dum – it's near-breathtakingly awesome and beautiful, but also sometimes you see a photo of one and you're like: I could give or take this tree.

Vice

The snaps may not have ruined the honeymoon quite as utterly as Ms Cox maintains, but she was on a private beach attached to a remote villa on a distant island the sort of place where even a celebrity might reasonably expect to frolic unobserved.

The Economist

Hewlett-Packard is on the acquisition trail again: EDS is just a distant digested memory (sort of).

The Guardian - Tech

Forty-eight stories above Fifth Avenue, Mr. Peterson, sitting among the views of Central Park and photos of himself with presidents and premiers, considered the wrangling in Washington with a distant disappointment: a sort of New York Establishment dismay.

The New York Times

And, on a personal level, "a distant grandfather of sorts".

The New York Times

The presence of host-switching (one daughter parasitoid lineage shifting to a distant host) or sorting events (when the parasitoid is absent, for example, has become extinct, in one of the daughter host lineages) may explain this result.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

It's curious a film so desperate to tell it like it is should have such a distant acquaintance with any sort of realism.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a feeling or emotion, use "a distant sort" to convey a sense of detachment or lack of intensity. For example, "He felt a distant sort of sadness, as if watching someone else's grief."

Common error

Avoid using "a distant sort" when you mean physical distance; the phrase implies emotional or psychological separation, not spatial separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant sort" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quality or characteristic that is marked by emotional or psychological separation. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in describing smiles and general feelings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a distant sort" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something characterized by emotional or psychological detachment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests it’s most frequently found in news and media contexts. The phrase is used to express a feeling of reserve or lack of engagement. When writing, ensure that you're conveying emotional distance rather than physical separation. Alternative phrases such as "a remote variety" or "an aloof type" can provide similar nuances depending on the context. Although grammatically sound, its usage is considered rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remote variety

Changes 'distant' to 'remote' and 'sort' to 'variety', implying something is not easily accessible or directly connected.

a detached kind

Substitutes 'distant' with 'detached', suggesting emotional separation or lack of involvement.

an aloof type

Replaces 'distant' and 'sort' with 'aloof type', indicating a reserved or standoffish nature.

a faraway nature

Uses 'faraway nature' to emphasize the lack of immediacy or connection in something's character.

a withdrawn manner

Focuses on behavior that is reserved and not forthcoming, highlighting a lack of engagement.

a reserved character

Highlights the characteristic of being restrained or self-contained.

a segregated nature

Implies a separation or isolation in its essence.

an isolated form

Suggests a lack of integration or connection with other elements.

a disconnected style

Indicates a lack of logical or emotional link.

a segregated appearance

Highlights that something seems set apart and unconnected from the rest.

FAQs

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

Use "a distant sort" to describe something that possesses a quality of emotional or psychological detachment. For example, "She had a distant sort of smile that didn't quite reach her eyes."

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

You can use alternatives like "a remote variety", "a detached kind", or "an aloof type depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a distant sort" and "a remote type"?

"A distant sort" implies a less intense connection or involvement, while "a remote type" suggests something further removed or less accessible, either physically or emotionally.

Is "a distant sort" the same as "a segregated type"?

No, "a distant sort" focuses on emotional or psychological distance, whereas "a segregated type" implies separation or isolation, often in a more formal or structured way.