a suitable distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a suitable distance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an appropriate or acceptable amount of space between two objects or people. Example: "To ensure safety during the experiment, the participants were instructed to maintain a suitable distance from the equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Malquist says: Nothing is the history of the world viewed from a suitable distance.

The New Yorker

"He was intent on maintaining a certain kind of demeanor, a suitable distance between himself and students".

The New York Times - Books

At least, it is possible if those altered actors are kept at a suitable distance from the viewer.

The Economist

He said in his memoirs: "Kennedy, I always believed, was pleased to have me in his administration, but at a suitable distance such as in India".

The New York Times

The first is to define a suitable distance between each pair of vertices which can reflect the probability that they belong to the same community.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

The site itself is to be developed at the greatest density possible, with data to be collected to a suitable distance about the site as is required to identify major changes in bathymetry which might affect the site.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

In contrast to PVQA, IPVQA involves three stages, normalizing each time subsequence to remove the mean, executing the traditional piecewise vector quantized approximation and designing a novelly suitable distance function to measure the similarity of time series in the reduced space.

Measurement

In such cases, a more suitable distance metric than the Euclidean metric can be learned from data.

Genome Biology and Evolution

She jumped from five and a half furlongs to the more suitable distance of a mile for her second start and outdistanced the competition by 19 lengths at Penn National last Nov. 8, proving she was ready for brighter lights.

The New York Times - Sports

The motive of this study is to provide an efficient way to choose the best suitable distance metric to cluster the series of counts data that provide a better clustering result.

Journal of Big Data

For example, when faced with many features that each have different data types or domains, it is difficult to calculate suitable distance metrics as finding a common method to aggregate the features is also difficult.

Journal of Big Data

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial arrangements in technical writing, use "a suitable distance" to denote a separation that meets specific functional or safety requirements. For example, "Maintain a suitable distance between electrical components to prevent overheating."

Common error

Avoid using "a suitable distance" metaphorically when referring to abstract concepts. While technically correct, it can sound awkward or imprecise. Opt for more specific terms like "appropriate level", "necessary separation", or "reasonable difference" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a suitable distance" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating the degree of separation or space is appropriate or adequate for a given purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

26%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a suitable distance" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an appropriate or adequate separation between objects or individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase finds frequent application in scientific, technical, and general contexts, conveying spatial requirements or recommendations. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously in abstract contexts, opting for more precise language when necessary. Alternatives like "an appropriate distance" or "an adequate distance" can provide similar meaning. This phrase shows a tendency toward formal and technical use, making it well suited for academic and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an appropriate distance

Replaces "suitable" with "appropriate", emphasizing the correctness for a specific purpose.

an adequate distance

Substitutes "suitable" with "adequate", suggesting the distance is sufficient or satisfactory.

an optimal distance

Replaces "suitable" with "optimal", implying the distance is the best possible for a given situation.

a proper distance

Uses "proper" instead of "suitable", indicating the distance conforms to established standards.

a sufficient distance

Replaces "suitable" with "sufficient", meaning the distance is enough to meet a need or purpose.

an acceptable distance

Substitutes "suitable" with "acceptable", indicating the distance meets a minimum requirement or standard.

a safe distance

Replaces "suitable" with "safe", focusing on the distance's ability to prevent harm or danger.

a comfortable distance

Uses "comfortable" instead of "suitable", referring to a distance that feels physically or psychologically acceptable.

a strategic distance

Substitutes "suitable" with "strategic", implying the distance is chosen for a specific advantage.

an ideal distance

Replaces "suitable" with "ideal", suggesting the distance is perfect or most desirable.

FAQs

How can I use "a suitable distance" in a sentence?

Use "a suitable distance" to describe a separation that is appropriate or adequate for a particular purpose. For example: "The experiment requires maintaining "a suitable distance" between the samples."

What are some alternatives to "a suitable distance"?

Alternatives include "an appropriate distance", "an adequate distance", or "a proper distance", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "a suitable distance" or "an appropriate distance"?

Both "a suitable distance" and "an appropriate distance" are generally considered formal and can be used interchangeably in most contexts. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

In what situations is "a suitable distance" most often used?

"A suitable distance" is frequently used in scientific, technical, and safety contexts to describe a necessary or recommended separation between objects or individuals. It's also applicable in more general situations where describing an adequate space is important.