distant to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distant to" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to express a relationship of distance or separation between two entities. Example: "The mountain is distant to the village."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Maybe Kim Jong Un seemed very distant to them.

Independent

The Vietnam war is distant to today's prospective officers.

The New York Times

He remains somewhat distant to us, and somewhat distant to the African refugees he befriends and ultimately aids.

The New Yorker

The old warped way of eating seems – thankfully – distant to me now.

The Guardian

The sole AM station in the list was too distant to be received.

The New York Times - Tech

In Sarajevo, the 1,400-day blockade is now sufficiently distant to become marketable.

The Guardian - Travel

That great flourish of fecundity at the turn of the century seems distant to him.

The Guardian - Books

Exiting government involvement appears distant to us – as does the prospect of a dividend".

The Guardian - Business

The comet nuclei in this spherical shell are too distant to be visible from Earth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is too small, poor and distant to keep Indian politicians up at night.

The Economist

That point seemed very distant to most Americans as the war continued into 1966 and 1967.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial relationships, consider using "far from" or "remote from" as more grammatically sound alternatives to "distant to". These options are generally clearer and more widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "distant to" in formal contexts, especially academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise and grammatically standard phrases like "far from", "unrelated to", or "disconnected from" to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distant to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of separation or remoteness. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable, suggesting clearer alternatives may often be available. Examples show it used to describe both physical and abstract distance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "distant to" is frequently encountered in various sources, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect, advising caution in its use. Its primary function is to express separation or remoteness, both physically and conceptually. More precise and accepted alternatives like "far from", "unrelated to", or "remote from" are often preferable, especially in formal writing. Despite its common occurrence, striving for clearer and more grammatically sound options enhances the overall quality and credibility of your writing. The presence of "distant to" in both news and scientific contexts suggests a neutral register, but careful consideration of the specific context is always recommended. It's also important to note the frequent usage doesn't equate to correctness, and choosing alternatives strengthens your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far from

Replaces "distant" with "far", providing a more common and direct expression of physical or metaphorical separation.

remote from

Substitutes "distant" with "remote", offering a slightly more formal synonym for expressing separation.

not close to

Uses a negative construction to express a lack of proximity, either physically or conceptually.

unrelated to

Shifts the focus to a lack of connection or relevance, rather than physical distance.

disconnected from

Implies a broken or absent connection, suggesting a more significant separation than simple distance.

separated from

Highlights the act of being divided or kept apart, emphasizing the separation itself.

at a distance from

Emphasizes the spatial separation, using a more descriptive and slightly more formal tone.

bearing no relation to

Indicates a complete lack of connection or similarity, often used in formal contexts.

distinct from

Highlights the difference and clear separation between two things.

standing apart from

Suggests a deliberate separation or independence, implying a conscious choice to be different.

FAQs

Is "distant to" grammatically correct?

While "distant to" appears in some published writing, it is often considered grammatically questionable. Alternatives like "far from" or "remote from" are generally preferred.

What are some alternatives to "distant to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "far from", "unrelated to", "disconnected from", or "at a distance from" to express a similar meaning.

How can I avoid using "distant to" in my writing?

Consider the intended meaning. If you're describing physical separation, use "far from". If you're describing a lack of connection, use "unrelated to" or "disconnected from". Choosing a more specific phrase will improve clarity.

Is there a difference in meaning between "distant to" and "far from"?

While the intended meaning might be similar, "far from" is the more grammatically accepted and widely used phrase. It directly expresses physical or metaphorical separation, whereas "distant to" can sound awkward or less precise to many readers.