at a specific distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a specific distance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a precise measurement of space between two points or objects. Example: "The satellite orbits the Earth at a specific distance to maintain its position in the atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

You stand or sit at a specific distance from the eye chart.

Harvard University

It is mounted at a specific distance and position above the cooling tower outlet.

Renewable Energy

The image is sharp only if the film is located at a specific distance behind the lens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finally, the nanotubes must be spaced at a specific distance from each other, since they work best when they are not too close to neighboring nanotubes.

MIT Technology Review

If your shots are just a tad soft at a specific distance, you can program in a small adjustment to change the focus point at that range.

The New York Times - Tech

The objective lens forms a magnified, real image of the specimen at a specific distance from the objective known as the intermediate image plane.

Methods in Cell Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

($240, taylormade.com) WEDGES Martino suggests carrying up to four wedges: pitching, gap, sand and lob wedges, each of which carries the ball a specific distance at a different trajectory.

The New York Times - Sports

Yeah, adds David Hawkins of Brooklyn: "As a former horseplayer, I get exercised at the use of track record as in 'the track record shows that he'll make a good president.' A track record is the fastest time ever recorded for a specific distance at a given track.

The New York Times - Magazine

If the restriction is narrower than discussed in (1) above, and the assignment requires the employee to remain at a specific telephone within a specific distance from work to permit being called instantly to return to work, the partial salary is 50% of the employee's base pay for hours assigned to standby duty, but not at work (called "standby pay").

Stanford University

The elastic recovery is measured by the percentage to which the asphalt cement residue will recover its original length after it has been elongated to a specific distance at a specified rate of speed and then cut in half.

Journal of Modern Transportation

When a distant galaxy emitted light in the past, it was located a specific distance from us at that moment of emission.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is crucial, use "at a specific distance" to indicate a precise measurement in scientific reports or technical manuals. For example, "The sensor must be positioned "at a specific distance" to ensure accurate readings."

Common error

Avoid using "at a specific distance" in contexts where an approximate distance is sufficient. Using a phrase like "nearby" or "within close proximity" can sound more natural and less overly formal when precision isn't critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a specific distance" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the location or position of something in relation to a measurable separation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a specific distance" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to denote a precise spatial separation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, emphasizing its utility in contexts requiring accuracy. While not overly common, the phrase appears most frequently in science, news, and academic writing. Alternatives like "at a defined distance" or "at a precise distance" can offer stylistic variety, but "at a specific distance" is valuable for clearly conveying spatial relationships, especially when precision matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a defined distance

Replaces 'specific' with 'defined', suggesting a clearly established measurement.

at a particular distance

Substitutes 'specific' with 'particular', indicating a distinct or chosen distance.

at a precise distance

Replaces 'specific' with 'precise', emphasizing the accuracy of the measurement.

at a set distance

Uses 'set' instead of 'specific' to imply a predetermined distance.

at a fixed distance

Employs 'fixed' to convey that the distance is unchangeable.

at a given distance

Utilizes 'given' to suggest the distance is already known or provided.

at a certain distance

Replaces 'specific' with 'certain', indicating a known but not necessarily precise distance.

a specified distance away

Reformulates the phrase to emphasize the separation.

spaced at a defined interval

Changes the structure to focus on the interval or space between objects.

located a specified distance

Shifts the focus to the location being a certain distance away.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "at a specific distance"?

You can use alternatives like "at a defined distance", "at a particular distance", or "at a precise distance" depending on the context.

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

Use "at a specific distance" to describe something positioned at a precise, measurable separation. For example, "The target was placed "at a specific distance" from the sensor to test its range."

When is it appropriate to use "at a specific distance"?

It's appropriate when you need to emphasize the exact measurement between two points. This is common in scientific, technical, or safety-related contexts where precision is key.

Is there a difference between "at a specific distance" and "at a certain distance"?

While similar, "at a specific distance" implies a more precise, carefully measured separation, whereas "at a certain distance" suggests a known but possibly less precise measurement.