a world apart

USAGE SUMMARY

"a world apart" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to two people, places, or things that are very different from one another. For example, "Our cultures are a world apart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

TED was a world apart.

The New York Times

It was a world apart".

The New York Times

Auburn is a world apart from Paris.

The New York Times - Sports

The playroom is also a world apart.

The New Yorker

It exists in a world apart.

The New York Times

Theirs is a world apart.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is a world apart".

The Guardian

The Kaiser economy seems a world apart.

The New York Times

The Homestead is a world apart, literally.

The New York Times - Travel

But the two are a world apart.

The Guardian - Opinion

"In America religion is a world apart".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a world apart" when you want to emphasize the significant differences between two things, places, or ideas. It suggests more than just a simple difference; it implies a fundamental disconnect or separation.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "a world apart" repeatedly within a short piece of writing to describe similar contrasts. Vary your language with alternatives like "worlds away" or "entirely different" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a world apart" functions as a predicative expression, typically used to describe a state of significant difference or separation between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a world apart" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize significant differences or separation between entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While it maintains a generally neutral to formal register, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider semantically similar alternatives like "worlds away" or "entirely different" for varied expression. The phrase is most effective when highlighting a fundamental disconnect rather than a minor variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worlds away

Implies a greater distance, either physically or metaphorically.

entirely different

Focuses on the complete dissimilarity between two things.

completely dissimilar

Highlights the lack of resemblance.

poles apart

Emphasizes the opposition or contrast between two extremes.

like chalk and cheese

An idiomatic expression indicating a stark contrast.

distinctly different

Stresses the clear and obvious difference.

fundamentally different

Indicates a difference in the core aspects.

as different as night and day

Highlights a very obvious and easily perceived difference.

incomparable

Suggests that there is no basis for comparison due to vast differences.

dissimilar

A more formal way of saying 'not similar'.

FAQs

How can I use "a world apart" in a sentence?

You can use "a world apart" to describe two things that are very different from each other. For example, "The lifestyles of the rich and poor are "a world apart"".

What is a good alternative to "a world apart"?

Alternatives to "a world apart" include "worlds away", "entirely different", or "poles apart" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a world apart" or "worlds apart"?

Both "a world apart" and "worlds apart" are acceptable, but "a world apart" is more common. "Worlds apart" emphasizes the magnitude of the difference, while "a world apart" simply states that they are distinct.

What does it mean when something is described as "a world apart"?

When something is described as "a world apart", it means that it is very different from something else. The phrase highlights the significant contrast and separation between the two.