at a remove from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'at a remove from' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean distancing oneself from a situation or people. For example, you can say, 'He was standing at a remove from the crowd.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prison wardens necessarily live at a remove from society.

The New York Times - Books

It is very quiet - at a remove from London and his recording studios.

The Guardian - Books

At a remove from the city, they seized the freedom to experiment.

The Guardian

Historical understanding is contingent, contentious and rarely at a remove from the broader culture.

The New York Times

The idea that scientists ought to work at a remove from the concerns of common humanity remains powerful.

Columbia University

Preservation advocates argue that the members are now at a remove from vital decisions about what comes before them.

The New York Times - Arts

Those struggling to achieve clear sight might care to consider this sort of thing at a remove from tennis.

The Guardian - Sport

They remained, when they did occur, distanced, at a remove from the ongoing dailiness of my life.

The New York Times - Magazine

Boarding school was "brutal", she says, "a very efficient way of keeping you at a remove from life..

The Guardian - Film

It's easy to dismiss all attempts to put oneself at a remove from the subject of a story.

MIT Technology Review

They exist to break down the barriers of access that keep social elites at a remove from ordinary people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works well in academic and literary contexts to describe historical distance or social isolation.

Common error

Writers sometimes add unnecessary adjectives such as 'at a far remove from'. While 'far' can be used for emphasis, the word 'remove' itself already establishes a sense of significant distance. Ensure the modifier is adding value rather than clutter.

Linguistic Context

This expression functions primarily as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial or adjectival modifier. It serves to quantify the degree of separation between two entities. According to Ludwig AI, it is often used to describe a state of being rather than a physical movement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a remove from" is a highly versatile and elegant idiomatic expression used to denote distance, whether physical, emotional, or intellectual. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is a staple of high-end journalism and academic writing, appearing in contexts ranging from political commentary to art criticism. It effectively conveys a sense of being an outsider or maintaining an objective distance. While it can be replaced by simpler terms like "removed from", the "at a remove" construction provides a rhythmic and sophisticated quality to sentences. Writers should use it when they want to highlight a lack of direct involvement or a specialized vantage point that distance provides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distanced from

More common and slightly less literary, emphasizing the space created between two things.

removed from

A more direct version that conveys a similar sense of separation without the 'at a' construction.

detached from

Focuses more on the emotional or psychological lack of connection.

at a distance from

Typically refers more literally to physical space, though it can be used metaphorically.

separate from

Implies a clear boundary or distinction rather than just distance.

isolated from

Stronger connotation of being alone or entirely cut off.

apart from

Frequently used to indicate exclusion or spatial separation.

disconnected from

Highlights the break in a previous link or relationship.

independent of

Suggests a lack of influence or control rather than just distance.

insulated from

Suggests being protected or shielded from the influence of something.

FAQs

What does the phrase "at a remove from" mean?

It signifies being distant, detached, or separate from a person, situation, or idea. It often implies a lack of direct involvement, as seen in Ludwig examples where characters are described as being "at a remove from society."

Is "at a remove from" formal?

Yes, it is a sophisticated and neutral-to-formal expression. It appears frequently in high-quality journalism like "The New York Times" and "The New Yorker".

What can I say instead of "at a remove from"?

Depending on your context, you could use "distanced from", "removed from", or "detached from".

What is the difference between "at a remove from" and "far from"?

"Far from" usually refers to literal physical distance or a strong contradiction (e.g., 'far from true'). In contrast, "at a remove from" often describes a psychological, social, or historical detachment.