distant expression

USAGE SUMMARY

"distant expression" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a facial expression that is unreadable and unemotional. For example, "He wore a distant expression as she spoke of their future together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Her 8-year-old brother, an upper-classman, sat beside her, wearing a strained & rather distant expression.

The New Yorker

There's a hole in one of the knees of her tights, and a serene, distant expression on her face.

The New York Times

As he sings he rocks side to side, a serene, distant expression on his face.

The New York Times

He reached down and slowly applied a bandage, a distant expression on his face, as if he were scratching an itch.

The New Yorker

After more smiles and a few waves to the crowd, she was soon sitting in her chair, with a distant expression on her now familiar face.

The New York Times - Sports

Isaac said while funny at first, sleep-laughing with a zombie-like, distant expression on my face became exceptionally creepy after 15 minutes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

These black children with distant expressions, their eyes slightly yellowed from lack of sleep, are the ones left behind in the promise of a new South Africa after the elimination of apartheid.

The New York Times

When two 16-year-old Jewish students talk about how they will handle going to the army, their two Arab classmates listen carefully, with tentative and distant expressions.

Huffington Post

For HSPA1A expression, we found a number of distant expression-associated SNP markers (Supplementary Material, Fig. S7 and Table S1) which are candidates for further investigation.

Human Molecular Genetics

Saadi has learned to recognize their "immaculate" clothes and "upright, distant, ignoring expression".

The New York Times - Books

Geographer John Jones, writing in 1924, reports that "from the roof of King's Chapel in Cambridge, on a clear day, Ely [cathedral] can be seen on the horizon, 16 mile distant, an expression of the flatness of the fens".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distant expression" when you want to convey a sense of emotional detachment or lack of engagement from a person through their facial appearance.

Common error

While "distant expression" is apt for portraying detachment, overusing it in scenes requiring strong emotional display can make characters seem robotic or unrealistic. Vary descriptions with more nuanced emotional cues for better impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distant expression" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It typically modifies a subject, indicating a specific quality or state of their facial appearance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively describes a detached or unemotional facial expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distant expression" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes an unemotional or detached facial expression. While not extremely common, appearing "uncommon" across various texts, it is utilized across various contexts like "News & Media", "Science" and "Wiki". The phrase serves to communicate a lack of emotional engagement and is considered to have a neutral register, suitable for diverse writing styles. Alternative phrases, such as "vacant look" or "detached gaze", can be used to achieve a similar effect while offering slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacant look

Focuses on the emptiness or lack of comprehension in the gaze.

detached gaze

Emphasizes the separation and lack of emotional connection in the look.

aloof demeanor

Shifts the focus from just the face to the overall behavior of being reserved and standoffish.

unreadable face

Highlights the inability to discern emotions or thoughts from the facial expression.

blank stare

Describes a fixed, empty gaze lacking any discernible emotion or focus.

faraway look

Suggests the person's thoughts are elsewhere, resulting in a detached expression.

impassive countenance

Uses more formal language to describe a face devoid of emotion.

expressionless face

Directly states the absence of any expression.

cold mien

Implies a frosty and unfriendly expression.

noncommittal look

Indicates an expression that reveals nothing about the person's feelings or intentions.

FAQs

How can I use "distant expression" in a sentence?

You might say, "She had a "distant expression" as she listened to the news" or "He wore a "distant expression" that made it hard to know what he was thinking".

What does "distant expression" suggest about a character?

A "distant expression" often suggests that a character is emotionally detached, preoccupied, or perhaps even indifferent to the situation at hand. It can imply a lack of engagement or a sense of being mentally elsewhere.

What are some alternative ways to describe a similar emotion?

Instead of "distant expression", consider using phrases like "vacant look", "detached gaze", or "expressionless face" to convey a similar sense of emotional disconnection.

Is "distant expression" formal or informal?

"Distant expression" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.