a true distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a true distance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the actual measurement or extent between two points, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The map indicated a true distance of 50 miles between the two cities, which surprised the travelers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

As mentioned above, MSTs can be calculated from a true distance matrix.

Plosone

MST analysis was originally developed to link MLVA-derived sequence types (STs) [109], but technically it can be used for any data type, as long as a true distance matrix can be calculated.

Plosone

Is this really a true distance because it is in a part of the RF?

eLife

These pairwise NMI scores are converted into dissimilarity scores, d = 1 - NMI, which provides a true distance metric (Vinh et al., 2010).

F1000Research

There are two types of simulations in our study: simulations of differences in sequences between two species given a true distance d between them, and simulations of many sequences from a phylogeny.

BMC Genomics

Like the 2D fingerprints that it is asked to compare, the Tanimoto coefficient has substantial theoretical and practical limitations; it is not a true distance measurement as it violates the triangle inequality, nor is there any accepted demarcation in Tc that identifies ligands that are functionally related, notwithstanding much effort (19).

Biochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

To make this point clear, we are attaching a typical PSD response as a function of true distance between the bead and the trap center (Author response image 1, below).

eLife

The extent to which the straight-line distance measurement is used as a proxy for true distance is sometimes questionable and raises concern, when a particular geographical area of study has diverse features, for example, in vast mountainous areas, where there is limited road access.

BMC Health Services Research

A statistical model of evolution is used to infer an estimate of the true distance by deriving the effect of a given number of changes in the model on the computed measure and (algebraically or numerically) inverting the derivation to produce a maximum-likelihood estimate of the true distance under the model.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

For most distance values, however, one can view the goal of distance correction as postponing the onset of saturation, that is, making it possible to deliver an accurate estimate of the true distance up to as large a value as possible.

Bioinformatics

to indoor-to-outdoor paths, we compared the free-space loss for the true distance,, between a transmitter situated outside the aircraft and a receiver placed at seats A, B, and C, as indicated in Figure 5. Distance could easily be calculated using simple geometry.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about spatial relationships, use "a true distance" to emphasize the actual, measured separation between objects or locations, especially when contrasting with estimates or approximations.

Common error

Avoid using "a true distance" when you actually mean straight-line distance, especially in contexts where the path is not direct. The "straight-line distance" is a direct measurement, while "a true distance" might consider the actual path taken, which could be longer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a true distance" functions as a noun phrase, where "true" is an adjective modifying the noun "distance". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in scientific and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a true distance" is a valid and grammatically sound expression used to denote the factual and accurate measurement of separation. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its occurrence is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the intended meaning, especially when contrasting with estimated or straight-line distances. Consider the context and choose alternative phrases such as "the actual distance" or "the real distance" to achieve the desired level of clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the actual distance

Emphasizes the reality of the separation, focusing on what is factually the distance.

the real distance

Highlights the genuineness of the distance, distinguishing it from approximations or estimates.

the accurate distance

Stresses the precision and correctness of the measurement of separation.

the precise distance

Similar to 'accurate distance', but places greater emphasis on exactness and detail in the measurement.

the correct distance

Highlights the absence of errors in the distance, meaning it is the right value.

the exact distance

Focuses on pinpoint accuracy, leaving no room for estimation or rounding.

the factual distance

Emphasizes that the distance is based on verifiable facts, rather than assumptions.

the veritable distance

Implies the distance is undoubtedly true, highlighting its authenticity.

the measured distance

Refers to the distance obtained through a specific measuring process, often implying objectivity.

the valid distance

This emphasizes that the method used to calculate the distance is legitimate, confirming its validity.

FAQs

How is "a true distance" used in technical contexts?

In technical fields like physics or engineering, "a true distance" often refers to the actual, measured distance between two points, as opposed to an estimated or calculated value that might not account for all variables.

What's the difference between "a true distance" and "a straight-line distance"?

"A true distance" refers to the actual distance, possibly following a curved path, while a straight-line distance is the shortest distance between two points, regardless of any obstacles or variations in terrain.

Can "a true distance" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "a true distance" can be used metaphorically to describe the real gap or difference between ideas, feelings, or situations, rather than a literal physical measurement.

What are some synonyms for "a true distance" that I can use in my writing?

Alternatives to "a true distance" include "the actual distance", "the real distance", and "the accurate distance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The "actual distance" emphasizes reality, while the "real distance" highlights genuineness, and the "accurate distance" stresses precision.