at a distance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a distance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the separation between two places or objects. For example, "The mountain peak is visible from the valley at a distance of 10 miles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The smell could sicken at a distance of two miles.

The New York Times

It's audible at a distance of a couple of miles.

The New Yorker

York, at a distance of 20 feet, sent a bullet crashing through the old man's skull.

The New Yorker

dry guncotton primer showed that, at a distance of I in.

Nature

Groups of 400 or 500 warriors faced off at a distance of 65 feet.

The New York Times - Books

One was filming him at a distance of a few metres on his mobile phone.

The Guardian

Even at a distance of five feet, his words could barely be heard.

The New York Times

The nearest starburst galaxy at a distance of 11 million light years from Earth.

Harvard University

The deepest X-ray image, containing objects at a distance of nearly 13 billion light years.

Harvard University

A quasar at a distance of about 12.4 billion light years from Earth.

Harvard University

A massive "wall" of galaxies at a distance of 400 million light years from Earth.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a distance of" to provide precise spatial or temporal measurements, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "distant" as a direct replacement for "distance" in measurements. "Distant" describes something far away, while "distance" quantifies the separation. For example, say "at a distance of 10 meters" not "at a distant of 10 meters".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a distance of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb. It specifies the spatial or temporal separation between two entities. Ludwig examples show its widespread use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

31%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a distance of" is a grammatically sound and very common prepositional phrase used to specify spatial or temporal separation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and used across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Academia, and Science. To ensure clarity, always use "distance" to quantify separation and avoid replacing it with "distant". When precision is needed, "at a distance of" provides the necessary specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a separation of

Formal and technical; emphasizes the measurement of separation.

separated by

Focuses on the act of separation itself, rather than the measurement of the distance.

apart by

Similar to "separated by", but often used for shorter distances or more abstract separations.

spaced apart by

Highlights the arrangement or spacing of objects.

some distance away from

Less precise, indicates an unspecified distance.

from a vantage point of

Emphasizes the perspective from which something is observed, incorporating the idea of distance.

located remotely from

Highlights the remote location, suggesting a significant separation.

afar from

More literary and less precise, suggesting a great distance.

removed from

Implies a deliberate removal or detachment, not just physical distance.

at an interval of

Indicates a specific period or space between occurrences, emphasizing regularity.

FAQs

How do I use "at a distance of" in a sentence?

Use "at a distance of" to specify the separation between two points or objects. For example, "The building is visible "at a distance of" five miles."

What are some alternatives to "at a distance of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "separated by", "apart by", or "with a separation of".

Is it correct to say "at a distant of" instead of "at a distance of"?

No, "at a distant of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""at a distance of"", where "distance" is a noun.

What's the difference between "at a distance of" and "from a distance"?

"At a distance of" specifies a measurable separation, while "from a distance" simply indicates viewing or observing something from afar, without a precise measurement.