at a slight remove from

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a slight remove from" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a degree of distance or separation, either physical or metaphorical. Example: "She stood at a slight remove from the crowd, observing the festivities." Alternative expressions include "a little distance from" and "somewhat apart from."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But he has also been campaigning at a slight remove from the impeached president.

The New York Times

Whitney was a Waspy guy, or seemed so often bow-tied, always immaculate whose gentle presence stood at a slight remove from his work.

The New Yorker

If what is being described seems at a slight remove from reality, it becomes easier for the reader to pass judgment.

The New Yorker

Whitney was a Waspy guy, or seemed so — often bow-tied, always immaculate — whose gentle presence stood at a slight remove from his work.

The New Yorker

Some people can be persuaded to share the intimate moments recorded in their diaries, but only at a slight remove from those moments.

Independent

A15 Gore-Clinton Appearance Vice President Al Gore, who has been campaigning at a slight remove from President Clinton, attended a Democratic National Committee fund-raiser with the president.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Gurney's Newport occupies about 10 acres on a slight remove from downtown, across a short bridge to the island.

The New York Times

Her main subject of interest is people – her friends and acquaintances – who she portrays in an intimate way, but also at a slight remove.

The Guardian

A good portion of the songs are by contemporary songwriters, most of them coming to fado from a slight remove.

The New York Times - Arts

His book is an episodic report, at a slight critical remove, from various points on that terrain, beginning in a long first chapter with a plunge into a full day of attending studio critiques at one of the country's top art academies, the Rhode Island School of Design.

The New York Times - Books

Prison wardens necessarily live at a remove from society.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The noun "remove" is particularly effective in literary or high-level journalistic writing to describe social or political standing relative to a central figure.

Common error

While "slightly removed from" is also correct, writers often mistakenly try to combine them into "at a slight removed from", which is ungrammatical. Use either "at a slight remove" (noun) or "is slightly removed" (adjective/verb).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a slight remove from" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that acts as an adverbial of relationship or distance. It describes the state of being slightly separate from a subject or location. According to Ludwig, it is often used to describe a person's social or professional standing relative to power or a specific event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki & General

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a slight remove from" is a sophisticated linguistic tool used to denote a minor degree of separation or detachment. Ludwig analysis reveals that it is a hallmark of high-quality journalism, particularly when discussing political figures, artistic works or social dynamics. While the count of exact matches is relatively low, the authority of the sources involved—including The New York Times and The New Yorker—demonstrates its value in professional writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness as a prepositional phrase using the noun "remove". Writers should feel confident using it to add a layer of precision to descriptions of relationships and physical proximity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a slight distance from

Uses a more common noun to describe physical or metaphorical space.

slightly apart from

Functions as an adverbial phrase focusing on the state of being separate.

at a small remove from

A direct synonym replacing slight with small.

somewhat detached from

Emphasizes an emotional or psychological lack of connection.

a little bit removed from

Uses the past participle removed in a more conversational structure.

with a degree of separation from

A more formal and clinical way to describe a lack of direct involvement.

set slightly back from

Often used for physical positioning or architecture.

not entirely aligned with

Suggests a difference in perspective or purpose rather than just distance.

at one remove from

A related idiom that suggests a specific step or link in a chain of separation.

marginally disconnected from

Provides a more technical or systematic tone to the separation.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "at a slight distance from", "slightly detached from" or "somewhat apart from" depending on the context.

Is "at a slight remove from" formal?

Yes, it is a sophisticated phrase frequently used in high-quality journalism and literature. Ludwig confirms its presence in outlets like The New Yorker and The New York Times.

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

The addition of "slight" indicates that the distance or separation is minimal. Using "at a remove from" suggests a more significant or general degree of separation.

Can I say "slightly removed from" instead?

Yes, "slightly removed from" is a very common and perfectly interchangeable alternative that uses the adjective form rather than the noun phrase.