distance oneself from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distance oneself from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire to separate or disengage from a person, idea, or situation. Example: "In light of recent events, she decided to distance herself from the controversial group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

A third response is to distance oneself from the trauma by focusing on other issues.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is subtler to sanitize one's voting record in order to distance oneself from an unpopular President, or to delete broken campaign promises).

The New Yorker

Since launching in 2013 with a core audience in Moscow, it has covered topics from feminism to body image and "female misogyny", the impulse to distance oneself from women in order to succeed in a man's world.

The Guardian

What's more, our findings suggest that the key to the enjoyment is not only the ability to empathize with the sad emotions expressed by the music, but also the ability to self-regulate and distance oneself from this process.

University of California, Berkeley

Using vague, slippery, or just meaningless language is not the same as lying: it's not intended to deceive so much as to preserve options, buy time, distance oneself from others, or just to sound like you're saying something instead of nothing.

The Washington Post

(It is not subtle to change Senator Robert Byrd's age from eighty-eight to a hundred and eighty. It is subtler to sanitize one's voting record in order to distance oneself from an unpopular President, or to delete broken campaign promises).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Distancing oneself from racism and anti-Americanism should come easily to a presidential candidate.

The New York Times

Three symptoms characterize burnout: exhaustion; cynicism, or distancing oneself from work; and inefficacy, or feelings of incompetence and lack of achievement.

Harvard Business Review

Very strange, for instance, was this business of distancing oneself from patients in order to obtain what was thought of as a crucial objectivity.

The New York Times - Health

She recognizes that writing can be "a way of distancing oneself from human life and maybe even a way of controlling human life," she said.

The New Yorker

In China, however, distancing oneself from ideology is itself a political act, and audiences still look for hidden political and social commentary in Mr. Lin's plays.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics, use this phrase to indicate an attempt to remain objective or impartial. For example, "To understand the situation fully, it's crucial to distance oneself from personal biases."

Common error

Avoid using "distance oneself from" excessively in the passive voice, which can weaken the impact of your writing. Instead of "One should distance oneself from negative influences", consider "Individuals should proactively distance themselves from negative influences" for a more direct tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distance oneself from" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a deliberate action to create separation. Ludwig shows that it's used to describe the act of creating emotional, physical, or ideological separation from something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "distance oneself from" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that communicates a deliberate act of separation or disengagement. Ludwig AI confirms that it adheres to standard grammar rules. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When writing, focusing on the intentionality behind the act of separation. Remembering that this phrase indicates a careful and conscious effort to create space is key to using it effectively. While numerous alternatives exist, like "detach oneself from" or "separate oneself from", "distance oneself from" carries a unique nuance of strategic and purposeful separation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detach oneself from

Focuses on emotional or psychological disconnection, emphasizing a deliberate separation from a situation or person.

disassociate oneself from

Implies a formal or public separation, often to avoid being linked to something negative or controversial.

separate oneself from

Suggests a physical or metaphorical division, highlighting the act of creating space between oneself and something else.

withdraw from

Emphasizes the act of pulling back or retreating from involvement, often in a subtle or gradual manner.

abstain from

Indicates a deliberate choice to refrain from participating or engaging in something, often for moral or ethical reasons.

isolate oneself from

Highlights a state of being alone or apart from others, often due to choice or circumstance.

break away from

Suggests a more forceful or abrupt separation, often from a group, system, or ideology.

divorce oneself from

Implies a complete and permanent severing of ties, often with legal or formal implications.

remain aloof from

Focuses on maintaining a detached and emotionally distant stance, often implying superiority or indifference.

steer clear of

Indicates avoiding something potentially harmful or problematic, emphasizing caution and prudence.

FAQs

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

You can use "distance oneself from" to indicate a deliberate act of creating separation from something. For example, "In order to remain objective, the journalist had to distance oneself from the subject of the story."

What are some alternatives to "distance oneself from"?

Alternatives include "detach oneself from", "separate oneself from", or "disassociate oneself from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "distance yourself from" or "distance yourself with"?

"Distance yourself from" is the correct and standard phrasing. "Distance yourself with" is grammatically incorrect and not used in common English.

What's the difference between "distance oneself from" and "avoid"?

"Distance oneself from" implies a deliberate and often strategic separation, while "avoid" simply means to keep away from something. Distancing may involve a conscious effort to reduce interaction or influence, whereas avoiding might be a more passive action.