a very distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very distance" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "a very distant"? If this is the case, you can use it to describe something that is far away in space or time. Example: "The stars appear as a very distant light in the night sky."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A very distance second.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In Life of Pi, he finally has a story in which that very distance is the source of the emotion.

The Guardian - Film

Look ahead and keep a very safe distance from the vehicles in front of you (double the distance you normally would).

WikiHow

"Sometimes a [startup] has to go a very long distance out of [its] way to come back a short distance correctly".*.*

TechCrunch

The European space probe Ulysses, which studies the sun from a very large distance, is showing a similar effect.

Science Magazine

"Which just presupposes a very short distance".

The New Yorker

Glory looks best from a very great distance, or on a very small scale.

The New Yorker

It's a very good distance for him on a course that really suits him.

The New York Times - Sports

A very small distance separated 2-year-old Soribel Batista from death -- a millimeter, no more.

The New York Times

IS it possible to get to Easter Island without traveling a very long distance?

The New York Times - Travel

"His acting and manner leave all competition at a very humble distance".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a very distance" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "a considerable distance" or "a significant distance" to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

The word "distance" is a noun. Do not attempt to modify it with "very"; instead, use "distant" as an adjective, or rephrase using alternatives like "a great distance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very distance" functions as an attempt to describe the extent of spatial separation. However, it is grammatically flawed as 'distance' is a noun, and requires an adjective like 'distant' instead of 'very' directly modifying the noun. Ludwig indicates this as an error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very distance" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig flags it as incorrect, suggesting that "distant" should be used instead of "distance". While some sources demonstrate its usage, it is infrequent and not recommended for formal writing. Better alternatives include "a great distance", "a significant distance", or "a very distant". Therefore, it is best to avoid "a very distance" and opt for grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great distance

Replaces "very" with "great", emphasizing the magnitude of the distance.

a long distance

Simple substitution of "very" with "long", focusing on the extent of the separation.

a significant distance

Replaces "very" with "significant", indicating a notable amount of separation.

a considerable distance

Uses "considerable" instead of "very", suggesting a substantial degree of separation.

a distant point

Focuses on a specific location that is far away.

a substantial separation

Uses a noun phrase to highlight the act of separating by a large amount.

a short distance

Opposite meaning, indicating minimal separation.

a considerable remove

Emphasizes separation or detachment in a more formal tone.

a faraway location

Shifts focus from the measurement of distance to the destination itself.

a remote area

Highlights the isolated nature of the location due to its distance.

FAQs

What's the correct way to describe something that is far away?

Instead of the incorrect phrase "a very distance", you should use "a very distant" or "a great distance".

Is "a very distance" grammatically correct?

No, "a very distance" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing would involve using "distant" as an adjective, such as in the phrase "a very distant land".

What are some alternatives to "a very distance" that I can use in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "a long distance", "a considerable distance", or "a significant distance" to express separation or remoteness.

How does "a very distance" differ in meaning from "a great distance"?

"A very distance" is grammatically incorrect. "A great distance" is a correct and common way to describe something that is far away. The phrase "a very distant" is also acceptable.