a distant voice

USAGE SUMMARY

"a distant voice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe any sound that is faint, far away, or seemingly coming from another place. For example, "The wind carried a distant voice across the valley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

She is no longer a distant voice and a lot of people are listening.

The Guardian

The stewards, still unsure of their quarry, surveyed the mass of cricket fans suspiciously until a distant voice piped up: "I am Spartacus".

The Economist

You wait for the thump and shuffle, the creaking and banging to stop and a distant voice to announce, "This doesn't look good".

The New York Times

True belief is when a distant voice booms 'the prisoner shall now rise' and no one else in the room stands".

The Guardian

A distant voice, and the ravishment from it (let us call it the hallucinatory power of language), can occasionally become even greater than the real, true, indiscreet version of love, the one between men and women.

The New Yorker

Mrs Mughal, now a mother-of-two from Wood Green, north London, still vividly remembers the searing sense of relief she felt when a distant voice called "it's police, we're coming to get you" as she cowered among the debris of a derailed Tube carriage "preparing myself for death".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Jesse Ball's novel, A Cure for Suicide, contains few character names – "the claimant" and "the examiner" – and is narrated in an arch, distant voice of more experimental work.

The Guardian - Books

Talk about strangeness — what could be weirder than having this mysterious congress with a dead or distant voice, on a piece of paper?

The New Yorker

He is a lean, reined-in man with a strong jaw, a drawling, slightly distant voice, and impatient, whirling hand gestures.

The Guardian - Business

Then we heard a faint scratching sound, followed by a frail and distant voice.

The New Yorker

The Canzonetta's sweet little tune is whispered over the strings, a dry and distant voice from beyond the steppes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distant voice" to create a sense of mystery or isolation in your writing. It can evoke a feeling of something being far away, not just physically, but also emotionally or mentally.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant voice" solely to describe someone's emotional state. While distance can imply detachment, ensure the context relates to an actual auditory experience. For emotional detachment, consider phrases like 'a cold tone' or 'an indifferent manner'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant voice" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to describe a voice that is faint, far away, or seemingly coming from another place. Examples in Ludwig confirm its use in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distant voice" is a grammatically sound and versatile noun phrase used to describe a sound that is faint or far away. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase serves a descriptive purpose, often creating a sense of mystery or isolation. While its register is generally neutral, it is more commonly used in descriptive writing. To enhance your writing, remember to use "a distant voice" when you want to evoke a sense of remoteness, but avoid overusing it to describe emotional detachment, as there are more precise alternatives available such as "a cold tone" or "an indifferent manner".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a faint voice

Focuses on the low volume or audibility of the voice.

a faraway voice

Emphasizes the physical distance associated with the voice's origin.

a remote voice

Emphasizes the sense of detachment or inaccessibility in the voice.

a muffled voice

Highlights the lack of clarity or obstruction in the voice's sound.

a barely audible voice

Stresses the difficulty in hearing or discerning the voice.

a hushed voice

Suggests a quiet or subdued tone in the voice.

a disembodied voice

Suggests the voice lacks a physical source or is separated from a body.

an echo of a voice

Implies a reverberating or fading quality of the voice.

a suppressed voice

Indicates that the voice is being held back or restrained.

a low murmur

Refers to a soft, indistinct sound, similar to a quiet voice.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a distant voice" in a sentence?

Use "a distant voice" to describe a sound that is faint, far away, or seemingly coming from another place. For example: "Through the static, I could hear "a distant voice" calling for help."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a distant voice"?

Synonymous phrases include "a faint voice", "a faraway voice", or "a muffled voice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a distant voice" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a distant voice" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing a scene or setting in a narrative or descriptive context. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and tone than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "a distant voice" and "a disembodied voice"?

"A distant voice" implies physical separation or faintness, while "a disembodied voice" suggests the voice lacks a physical source or origin, often creating a more eerie or supernatural effect.