distancing oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distancing oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of creating emotional or physical space between oneself and others or a situation. Example: "In times of conflict, some individuals may resort to distancing oneself from the group to avoid confrontation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

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

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

Distancing oneself from potential intimacy can also be seen as "chill", a romanticised state of passivity that "rationalises self-centredness as an acceptable by-product of too many choices".

Independent

One security source referred to the "Thomas a Becket" principle of distancing oneself from a criminal act - referring to the comment made by King Henry II to his knights: "Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?" From beyond the grave, in his deathbed statement, written and signed four days ago when he knew he was dying, Mr Litvinenko, made his position clear.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

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

(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

Finding a more direct link to the big society, however, would have involved tapping into the nostalgia for 19th century voluntarism in welfare that flourished within the 1980s new right – a little awkward when one is trying to distance oneself from the era of "Victorian values", "no such thing as society", and all that.

The Guardian - Opinion

So it is tempting to use 'physicalism' to distance oneself from what seems a historically important but no longer scientifically relevant thesis of materialism, and related to this, to emphasize a connection to physics and the physical sciences.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distancing oneself", consider the specific type of separation you want to convey (physical, emotional, ideological) and choose the context accordingly. Also think about the reason to prefer the term respect other available alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "distancing oneself" in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "backing away" or "keeping space" might be more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distancing oneself" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action of creating separation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to describe the act of creating emotional or physical space between oneself and others. The examples show it being used in varied contexts, from political maneuvering to coping mechanisms.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distancing oneself" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the act of creating emotional, physical, or ideological separation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase can be used when discussing the act of creating space between oneself and others or a situation. While generally neutral to formal in register, suitable alternatives like "separating oneself" or "withdrawing from" may be more appropriate in informal contexts. The usage data indicates that it frequently appears in science and news contexts. Remembering the variety of semantic contexts and the nuances between the suggested synonyms can help the writer choose the best expression based on the purpose and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Separating oneself

Focuses on the act of making a division or gap, emphasizing the individual's action.

Withdrawing from

Highlights the action of removing oneself from involvement or connection.

Isolating oneself

Emphasizes the state of being alone or apart from others.

Disengaging from

Focuses on ending involvement or emotional connection.

Standing apart from

Suggests a deliberate choice to be different or not associated with something.

Extricating oneself

Implies a difficult or complicated removal from a situation.

Dissociating oneself

Emphasizes a mental or emotional separation.

Removing oneself

Highlights the act of physically or metaphorically taking oneself away.

Setting oneself apart

Focuses on establishing a distinct identity or position.

Cutting ties with

Suggests a permanent and decisive end to a relationship or connection.

FAQs

What does "distancing oneself" mean?

It refers to creating emotional, physical, or ideological separation between oneself and another person, group, or idea. It can be a conscious or unconscious behavior, often used as a coping mechanism or strategic maneuver.

How can I use "distancing oneself" in a sentence?

You can use it when describing an action someone takes to create space. For example: "In times of conflict, some individuals may resort to "distancing oneself" from the group to avoid confrontation."

What are some alternatives to "distancing oneself"?

You can use alternatives like "separating oneself", "withdrawing from", or "isolating oneself" depending on the context.

Is "distancing oneself" formal or informal?

It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is generally more common in analytical or descriptive writing. In very casual conversations, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.