a vast distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast distance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large physical space or an abstract gap between two points, such as in relationships or understanding. Example: "The two cities are separated by a vast distance, making it difficult for friends to visit each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Italy and Portugal were better but not by a vast distance.

The Guardian - Sport

Though it tries, "Biography" doesn't convincingly depict a vast distance between the Nelsons' on-air and off-air personalities.

The New York Times

Whatever this companion was, it seemed to orbit at a vast distance, equivalent to our Kuiper belt objects.

MIT Technology Review

They'd shout, far louder than necessary, pretending they were ­separated by a vast distance, making fun of their good luck.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By any historical or stylistic measure that's a vast distance, and it's a difficult voyage to make with any coherence.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, as in Mumford's day, a vast distance separates Sorkin's imagined green utopia from present-day New York.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Then he hit on the idea of a man and woman "separated by an unimaginably vast distance.

The Guardian - Books

"Long Trip" contains a small car and the mostly vacant space around it provides a sense of vast distance.

The New York Times

Despite the vast distance, a previous study has suggested rs1292011 to be potentially mediating ER-positive breast cancer through an effect on TBX3 due to significant elevation of expression in plasma from individuals with breast cancer [ 42].

BMC Medical Genomics

The vast distance imposes a communication delay, too.

The Economist

His stories were an attempt to bridge the vast distance that separates the austere cruelty of Abu Salim and the world outside.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a vast distance" to emphasize not just physical separation but also conceptual or emotional divides.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "a vast distance" when more precise language would enhance understanding. Quantify the distance whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast distance" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes the extent of separation between two points, whether physical or abstract. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vast distance" is a versatile noun phrase used to emphasize the magnitude of separation, whether physical or abstract. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As evidenced by its frequent appearance in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia, its effectiveness lies in conveying immensity or significance. While alternatives like "a great distance" or "a considerable distance" exist, "a vast distance" carries a stronger sense of enormity. When employing this phrase, ensure precision by quantifying the distance whenever feasible and avoid overuse to maintain impact. This phrase's communicative power comes from its ability to succinctly express substantial separation and its connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great distance

This alternative is a more general and common way to express a large separation.

a considerable distance

This alternative emphasizes the substantial nature of the separation.

a significant distance

This alternative highlights the importance or impact of the separation.

a long way

This alternative is more informal and often implies effort to traverse the separation.

a wide gap

This alternative suggests a separation that may not be physical but conceptual or figurative.

a far cry

This alternative emphasizes a large difference or dissimilarity rather than physical separation.

a substantial interval

This alternative emphasizes the temporal aspect of the separation.

a lengthy stretch

This alternative focuses on the linear extent of the distance.

an enormous span

This alternative highlights the size of the distance, often in a non-physical context.

a world apart

This alternative conveys a more figurative and emphatic separation, often indicating a difference in character or quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a vast distance" to describe physical separation, as in "The stars are separated by "a vast distance"", or to describe conceptual differences, as in "There is "a vast distance" between their beliefs".

What can I say instead of "a vast distance"?

You can use alternatives like "a great distance", "a considerable distance", or "a significant distance" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "vast distance" or "great distance"?

Both "vast distance" and "great distance" are acceptable, but "vast" implies a sense of immensity or enormity that "great" might not fully convey. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

Can "a vast distance" refer to time or only space?

While often used for spatial separation, "a vast distance" can also refer to a significant difference or separation in time, although this usage is less common. For example, "There is "a vast distance" between the present and the past".