as distant now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as distant now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a current state of distance, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical, in relation to a previous time or state. Example: "The memories of our time together feel as distant now as they did when I first moved away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Her allegiance to that particular brand of political feminism remains as distant now as it was then.

Independent

The chances of the Abbott Government heeding the advice of the CCA appear as distant now as ever.

The Guardian

"The sweetly serene games of Sydney seem as distant now as a star in the night," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Characters speak in broad dialect, easy enough to understand and also symbolic of a way of life as distant now as a Thomas Hardy novel.

Independent

Test cricket of the 1950s is as distant now as the rest of that decade, with its housewives and its radio plays and its music hall conservatism.

The Guardian - Sport

The literary culture in which Moorcock, Ballard and their peers could make a living from magazine serialisations seems as distant now, in the era of the internet, as the Grub Street of the 18th century to which it bears a more than passing resemblance.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

That kind of legal and moral cost-accounting seems as distant as a tintype now.

The New York Times

If change had been slower, perhaps Chaucer would be only as difficult as Shakespeare is to us; "Beowulf" only as distant as Chaucer is now.

The Economist

Two years later, Bell laughs at the memory, which is now as distant as Idaho from the limelight of the N.B.A. playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

His Queens roots, which once loomed like Lincoln's log cabin, seem now as distant as the view from his apartment window.

The New York Times

As distant as it seems now, these companies started out as inventions by individual owners.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as distant now" to draw a comparison between the current state and a past one, emphasizing how something has become remote or faded in relevance over time. For example, "The optimism of that era feels "as distant now" as the moon landing."

Common error

Avoid using "as distant now" when simply indicating the passage of time without implying a significant shift in perspective or feeling. Instead of saying "Yesterday feels "as distant now"", consider a more direct phrase like "Yesterday feels like a long time ago".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as distant now" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates the degree to which something is removed or remote from the present time. Ludwig's examples show its use in conveying both temporal and emotional distance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as distant now" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, typically found in News & Media contexts, to convey a sense of remoteness or fading relevance in the present compared to a previous time. According to Ludwig's AI, it is most effective when emphasizing a contrast or a shift in perspective, but should be used judiciously to avoid overuse in simple time references. Alternatives like "as far away now" or "as remote now" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as far away now

Replaces "distant" with "far away", emphasizing physical or metaphorical distance.

as remote now

Substitutes "distant" with "remote", suggesting isolation or inaccessibility.

feels like a distant memory now

Adds the explicit emotional element of memory and personal experience.

seems so long ago now

Focuses on the temporal aspect, highlighting the passage of time.

a thing of the past now

Emphasizes that something is no longer relevant or current.

belonging to a bygone era now

Highlights that something is strongly associated with a past time period.

recedes into the past

Uses more figurative language to suggest a gradual fading into history.

fades into obscurity

Implies a loss of clarity or importance over time.

as estranged now

Replaces "distant" with "estranged", focusing on emotional distance and separation.

as disconnected now

Substitutes "distant" with "disconnected", underlining a lack of connection or relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "as distant now" in a sentence?

Use "as distant now" to compare something's current remoteness or irrelevance to a past state. For instance, "The hope for a quick resolution seems "as distant now" as it did at the start of the conflict."

What can I say instead of "as distant now"?

You can use alternatives like "as far away now", "as remote now", or "feels like a distant memory now" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "as distant now" or "as distant then"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they describe different time perspectives. "As distant now" refers to something remote from the present, while "as distant then" refers to something that was remote from a past point in time.

What's the difference between "as distant now" and "a distant memory now"?

"As distant now" is a more general comparison of remoteness, while "a distant memory now" specifically implies that something is fading or has faded from recollection and personal experience.