distantly connected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distantly connected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship or association that is not close or direct, often in a metaphorical or abstract sense. Example: "Although they are distantly connected through their shared ancestry, they have never met in person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The barons of the Queens Democratic machine remain more distantly connected to their borough.

The New York Times

What happens on paper or at the keyboard is only distantly connected.

The New York Times

For Father Judge, like many foot soldiers, the high command could seem only distantly connected to his actual life.

The New York Times

But Mr. Parker makes sure that the motive for the murder is distantly connected to American destiny.

The New York Times - Books

It spews coffee in the kitchen of an elderly gay couple distantly connected to the Petersburg story.

The New York Times - Books

The album includes vocal fantasias that lean toward chamber music, with many Bjorks looped and echoing, alongside songs that are obviously but distantly connected to hip-hop.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The two fund managers, Newman and Chiasson, were remote tippees, distantly and indirectly connected to their primary tipper.

Forbes

For example, he suggests that the Hookman is somehow connected to killer clowns, because he distantly resembles characters in several 19th-century poems, one of whom has a name etymologically related to "harlequin".

Huffington Post

From D > 100, power starts to decrease, which is expected as highly differentiated populations are connected by migration events that are distantly spaced in time, so recombination has time to break up associations between alleles.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

However, inclusion of these two species in the salivarius group does not appear justified as the grouping was weakly supported in both trees, and these two species were distantly related to the three salivarius species, which were connected by relatively short branch lengths and have been shown to be phenotypically distinct.

Genome Biology and Evolution

These students are more likely to think that closely related organisms have a common ancestor than those that are more distantly related and that humans are less likely to be connected to common ancestors than nonhuman organisms.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distantly connected", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the connection is and why it is considered distant. This will help avoid ambiguity and ensure your message is clear.

Common error

Avoid using "distantly connected" when a closer, more direct relationship exists. Overstating the separation can weaken your argument or misrepresent the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distantly connected" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that the connection between the noun and something else is not direct or strong. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distantly connected" is a useful tool for expressing indirect or weak relationships. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Analysis of various sources reveals its frequent use in News & Media and Science, indicating its versatility across different contexts. While "distantly connected" effectively conveys a lack of directness, consider alternatives like "loosely associated" or "remotely related" for nuanced meaning. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what is being connected and the nature of the distance between them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remotely related

Emphasizes the remoteness of the connection, suggesting a significant degree of separation.

loosely associated

Highlights the lack of a strong or formal link, focusing on association rather than direct connection.

indirectly linked

Specifies that the connection is not straightforward but passes through an intermediary.

tangentially related

Suggests a connection that is only slightly relevant or peripheral.

tenuously connected

Implies that the connection is weak and easily broken.

vaguely affiliated

Indicates an imprecise or uncertain connection, often used in organizational contexts.

peripherally involved

Suggests a minor or non-central role in a particular activity or situation.

secondarily related

Highlights that the relation is of secondary importance.

collaterally linked

It points out an indirect relationship, where the connection is through a third party.

nominally connected

Indicates a connection in name only, with little practical effect.

FAQs

How can I use "distantly connected" in a sentence?

You can use "distantly connected" to describe relationships or associations that are not close or direct. For example: "Although they are "distantly connected" through their shared ancestry, they have never met in person."

What are some alternatives to "distantly connected"?

Alternatives include phrases like "loosely related", "remotely linked", or "indirectly associated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "distantly connected" or "closely connected"?

The choice depends on the actual relationship you're describing. Use ""distantly connected"" when the connection is weak or indirect, and "closely connected" when the relationship is strong and direct.

What does "distantly connected" imply about the strength of a relationship?

"Distantly connected" implies that the relationship is not strong, direct, or immediately apparent. It suggests a degree of separation or indirectness in the connection.