how far removed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how far removed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the degree of separation or difference between two things, often in terms of time, space, or relationship. Example: "The two cultures are how far removed from each other that they hardly share any common traditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"That's how far removed I was," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

The most surreal part of this spectacle is how far removed it seems from the rest of the Olympics.

The New Yorker

TO SEE how far removed Europe's asylum debate has been from its asylum problem, look to the Netherlands.

The Economist

But nonetheless, I am struck by just how far removed these people and places are from the everyday world.

The New York Times

When the discussion turned to how far removed protesters would likely be from the convention site, Mr. Spahn sounded optimistic.

The New York Times

Reading her autobiography and her articles, one gets a feeling of how strange, how different she was as a child, how far removed from "normal".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Having reduced its warheads over the years, Britain now has the fewest of the five officially recognised nuclear powers.The remaining question is how far removing one of the four subs would affect Britain's defence capabilities.

The Economist

How cruelly far removed that vision is from the experience of my mother or Alan Rusbridger's father or thousands more who see those they love inching towards death through a torture chamber.

The Guardian

That choice was as deliberate as it was cowardly, because a full accounting of who Dr King was and what he stood for would demonstrate how very far removed President Obama is from the man he was celebrating.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even so, announcements such as Liverpool's new ticketing structure only serve to highlight how grotesquely far removed executives appear from the realities of people whom they stand within only a few yards of each week.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a story which reveals how very far removed Stoke are from Liverpool, whose locally-born full-back Jon Flanagan – the life and soul of his home-town club – recently lived through the anxiety and ignominy of being put on a month-to-month contract when it was unclear how his very serious knee injury might respond to surgery.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how far removed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being separated or distanced. For instance, specify what concepts, people, or events are being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "how far removed" in overly complex sentences where clarity is compromised. Simplifying the sentence structure can improve readability and comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how far removed" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It quantifies the degree to which something is distant, separate, or detached from something else. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how far removed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the degree of separation or difference between entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a wide range of writing contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the objects being compared and the nature of their separation are clearly defined. While "how far removed" is versatile, avoid overly complex sentence structures to maintain readability. Related phrases like "how distant" or "how separated" can provide alternative phrasing options depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how distant

A more concise way of expressing separation, focusing on distance.

how separated

Highlights the state of being apart or divided.

how divorced from

Highlights a complete separation or disunion.

to what extent detached

Emphasizes the degree of detachment or disconnection.

how disconnected

Implies a lack of connection or communication.

how isolated

Emphasizes the state of being alone or set apart.

how alienated

Focuses on the feeling of estrangement or isolation.

to what degree estranged

Focuses on the level of estrangement or lack of intimacy.

to what extent disjointed

Focuses on the degree of incoherence or lack of connection.

how dissociated

Suggests a separation of ideas, feelings, or experiences.

FAQs

How can I use "how far removed" in a sentence?

You can use "how far removed" to discuss the extent to which something is distanced or separated from something else. For example, "Consider "how far removed" a modern compact car is from the troubled Pinto".

What phrases are similar to "how far removed"?

Similar phrases include "how distant", "how separated", or "how disconnected", which all convey a sense of separation or detachment.

Is it correct to say "how far removed from"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "how far removed from" is often followed by the thing from which something is separated, such as "how far removed from reality".

What's the difference between "how far removed" and "how different"?

While both phrases indicate a degree of difference, "how far removed" suggests a separation in terms of time, space, or relevance, whereas "how different" simply highlights the dissimilarities between two things.