distant proximity

USAGE SUMMARY

"distant proximity" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to express two seemingly contradictory concepts being simultaneously true. For instance, you could say, "The couple had a distant proximity, living on opposite coasts yet never losing touch."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This specific area of the liver was targeted because of its distant proximity from the pancreas, thus minimizing pancreatic signal interference.

Plosone

No specific functional gene overrepresentation at the sbds locus in S. cereviciae was observed, apart from a noticeable but comparatively distant proximity to genes encoding RNA-related functions.

Advances and Applications in Bioinformatics and Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Will Kemp took the poetry prize with Driving to Work at 5am Listening to Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, while Michael Allen won the essay prize with an examination of the ways Keats treats beauty, A Distant Idea of Proximity.

The Guardian - Books

Recent attention to the 3-dimensional conformation of chromosomes in the nucleus suggests that long-range looping events, which bring into close proximity distant regulatory elements with gene promoters, is an important mechanism in the regulation of gene transcription (42).

Arthritis and Rheumatology

This is especially relevant with respect to the local-distant dichotomy since proximity may be a surrogate measure of more salient factors (i.e., motivation to make lifestyle and behaviour changes) that influence weight management success.

BMC Health Services Research

But mainly it is the faint thrill – the distant, outside chance – of proximity to greatness.

The Guardian - Sport

Vakoc, C. R. et al. Proximity among distant regulatory elements at the beta-globin locus requires GATA-1 and FOG-1.

Nature

The potential competition between wild camelids and feral donkeys at the eastern sector of the Atacama Desert is evaluated in terms of their coincidence or segregation in habitat use and complemented with a comparison of reproductive output (yearling/adult ratio) of vicuña family groups in the proximity vs. distant from donkey observations.

Acta Oecologica

This folding can bring an otherwise distant free strand into proximity with a pseudoknot forming structure (Fig. 4d).

Plosone

Moreover, the ability to bring distant DNA segments into proximity appears to be a shared feature of proteins with C-terminal PAKKA-type repeats.

Bioscience Reports

This hypothesis defines two key aspects of chromatin structure: proximity between distant DNA sequences due to looping and tethering of active genes to a factory.

Epigenetics and Chromatin

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distant proximity" to create a sense of irony or to highlight a contradictory relationship between two things. This phrase is most effective when you want to emphasize both the separation and the connection simultaneously.

Common error

Avoid using "distant proximity" when you simply mean 'far away' or 'close by'. The phrase's strength lies in its contradiction; using it without acknowledging both elements diminishes its impact. Ensure the context genuinely supports the coexistence of distance and nearness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distant proximity" primarily functions as an oxymoron, combining contradictory terms to create a rhetorical effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights the simultaneous existence of separation and closeness. This construction is used to add depth and complexity to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distant proximity" presents a unique linguistic construction used to express simultaneous separation and connection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable, albeit rare, often appearing in scientific and journalistic contexts. When using this phrase, the key is to emphasize the paradoxical relationship you're describing. To avoid misuse, ensure the context genuinely supports the dual existence of distance and nearness. Alternatives such as "remote closeness" or "near yet far" can offer similar effects if "distant proximity" doesn't quite fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remote closeness

Emphasizes the paradoxical combination of being far away yet intimately connected.

near yet far

Highlights the contradiction of being physically close but emotionally or psychologically distant.

close distance

Highlights proximity despite separation, flipping the order but keeping a similar meaning.

separated nearness

Focuses on the experience of being emotionally or relationally close despite physical separation.

paradoxical proximity

Emphasizes the contradictory nature of the nearness, suitable for analytical contexts.

emotional distance

Shifts focus to emotional detachment even when physically nearby.

spatial paradox

Highlights the contradictory nature of the spatial relationship.

conflicting nearness

Highlights the conflicting sensation of the proximity in different contexts.

tenuous connection

Emphasizes that the relationship between two entities is weak despite their apparent proximity.

estranged intimacy

Highlights that there's intimacy despite the separation.

FAQs

How can "distant proximity" be used effectively in writing?

Use "distant proximity" to describe situations where entities are physically or emotionally separated yet remain connected in some significant way. It works best when highlighting irony or paradox.

What does it mean when something has "distant proximity"?

It means that two things are both near and far simultaneously, either physically, emotionally, or conceptually. The phrase captures a state of contradictory connection.

Is it grammatically correct to use "distant proximity"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase combines an adjective and a noun in a way that, while seemingly contradictory, is used to create a specific effect. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

What are some alternatives to "distant proximity" if I want to convey a similar idea?

You can use alternatives like "remote closeness", "near yet far", or "paradoxical proximity" to convey a similar sense of contradictory connection.