distance from reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distance from reality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, belief, or perception that is not aligned with actual facts or truth. Example: "His views on the economy show a significant distance from reality, as they ignore the current data and trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Art

Fiction

Politics

Psychology

Narrative

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Their father's alcoholism worsens as the summer progresses, despite warnings from doctors, two arrests for drunk driving, and his growing distance from reality.

The New Yorker

(Surely Jordan knows these names have a Dickensian distance from reality; his literary references here include Poe and Joyce, one the icon of the haunted, the other of emotionally tortured men traipsing around Dublin).

The New York Times - Books

The final showdown, John Dickerson, Slate If the candidates are using foreign policy as a proxy to appeal to battleground-state voters, it means the substance is going to be a good distance from reality.

The Guardian - Opinion

This crisis, which is the crisis of narrative's distance from reality, is artistic certainly and cultural probably: but Knausgaard's great accomplishment is to show it, pre-eminently, as personal.

The Guardian - Books

I knew I had to make the next draft of the book resemble the West Bank more closely, but I also knew it had to retain some distance from reality for the novel to function as fiction.

The Guardian - Books

No one would call Lincoln or Roosevelt inattentive to their situations; both men knew how to find a moment of distance from reality as a means of refreshing themselves and their aides.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The "Lemonade" film is set, at times, in New Orleans and is peopled with figures who are real, if distanced from reality by their fame, including the tennis star Serena Williams and the actresses Zendaya and Quvenzhané Wallis.

The New Yorker

Clichés are prophylactics against the complexity and intensity of direct experience, tools used to distance ourselves from reality, but this photograph brings love near enough that we can feel its hot breath.

The New Yorker

The social fact of race has long challenged efforts at readings that seek to distance image from reality, and it has also challenged attempts to analyze visual texts as if they were historical documents of record.

Huffington Post

To do otherwise only works to distance us from reality -- to obscure our environmental responsibilities with yet another layer of human exceptionalism; the debate becomes, to quote the famous line, "just some stuff, said by some politician, full of bluster and angry stuff, signifying squat".

Huffington Post

When you lie, you distance yourself from reality.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distance from reality" to critically analyze political discourse, identifying instances where rhetoric diverges from actual events or policies. This can help reveal underlying agendas or misrepresentations.

Common error

Avoid using "distance from reality" merely to express disagreement with someone's opinion. The phrase implies a significant detachment from verifiable facts, not just a difference in perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distance from reality" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an object of a preposition (e.g., "from"). It describes the degree to which something is separated or diverges from factual or objective truth. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Books

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distance from reality" is a grammatically sound phrase commonly used to describe the extent to which something is separated from factual truth. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and broadly applicable. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, serving to critically assess discrepancies between perception and reality. To enhance writing, ensure the phrase accurately reflects a significant detachment from verifiable facts, rather than a simple difference of opinion. Alternatives include "deviation from reality" and "disconnection from reality", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviation from reality

Emphasizes the act of straying or differing from what is real.

disconnection from reality

Highlights a break or lack of connection with the real world.

detachment from reality

Suggests an emotional or psychological separation from what is real.

departure from reality

Implies a deliberate or noticeable movement away from the real.

divorce from reality

Indicates a complete separation or disavowal of the real world.

out of touch with reality

Describes a state of not being aware of or understanding what is actually happening.

removed from reality

Suggests that something has been taken away or isolated from the real world.

estranged from reality

Emphasizes a sense of alienation or unfamiliarity with the real.

at odds with reality

Highlights a conflict or disagreement with the actual state of affairs.

at variance with reality

Indicates an inconsistency or divergence from what is real.

FAQs

How can I use "distance from reality" in a sentence?

You can use "distance from reality" to describe the extent to which something is divorced from the actual facts of a situation. For example: "The politician's claims showed a concerning distance from reality."

What's a good alternative to "distance from reality"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "deviation from reality", "disconnection from reality", or "detachment from reality".

Is it appropriate to use "distance from reality" in formal writing?

Yes, "distance from reality" is suitable for formal writing, especially when analyzing abstract concepts, political discourse, or artistic interpretations. However, ensure that its use is precise and contextually appropriate.

What's the difference between "distance from reality" and "denial of reality"?

"Distance from reality" suggests a divergence or detachment from facts, while "denial of reality" implies an active refusal to acknowledge the truth. Denial is a more deliberate and forceful rejection of what is real.