in distant times

USAGE SUMMARY

"in distant times" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a past period or era that is far away from the current time. For example, "In distant times, people did not have access to the same technologies we do now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But all novels are beholden to readers of the present, even those set in distant times and other worlds.

The New York Times

Christians awaiting the Judgment Day, and Buddhists seeking enlightenment know that actions performed today may have consequences in distant times and places.

Yale University

As happened often in distant times, the woman most highly placed in the corporation was set up to receive the harshest judgment.

The New Yorker

Treitz, who co-wrote the script with Kate Lyn Sheil (who also plays Betsy's sister Josephine), sees rustic life in distant times with an astonishingly vibrant, tactile precision.

The New Yorker

It was an argument with serious, literally eschatological, consequences: it led inevitably to "the destruction of the solar system, through the agency of this ether," albeit in distant times to come.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The fact that so many medieval romances are set in distant times and remote places is not an essential feature of romance but rather a reflection of its origins.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Perkins and half her players are operating in distant time zones.

The New York Times - Sports

At the newsroom, only steps from Mission Control, foreign reporters are filing copy for next editions in distant time zones.

The New York Times - Science

Diplomacy can be exhausting, with all those late dinners followed by pre-breakfast e-mail rockets from foreign ministries in distant time zones.

The New York Times

NHL management was hesitant to commit to the tournament; Bettman argued the Olympic break is a "strain on the players, on the schedule and on fans", adding that "the benefits we get tend to be greater when the Olympics are in North America than when they're in distant time zones".

Wikipedia

A validation study that included both cases and controls found that cases overestimated phone use in distant time periods, which could cause positive bias in risk estimates (Vrijheid et al. 2009).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in distant times" to set a historical context or to evoke a sense of the past when discussing events, cultures, or societal norms.

Common error

Avoid pairing "in distant times" with other overly formal or archaic expressions, which can make your writing sound unnatural or stilted. Maintain a consistent tone throughout your piece.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in distant times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred. As Ludwig AI explains, it sets a temporal context that is far removed from the present. This usage is evident in various examples, setting the stage for narratives or historical comparisons.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

27%

Science

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in distant times" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to indicate a period far removed from the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's effective in establishing historical context, drawing comparisons across eras, and setting the stage for narratives. This phrase appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, lending itself well to both neutral and formal writing styles. While alternatives like "in remote times" and "long ago" exist, "in distant times" offers a specific nuance suited for historical and comparative discussions, provided it is used judiciously to avoid stylistic inconsistencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in remote times

Focuses on the remoteness and lack of connection to the present.

in bygone eras

Emphasizes that the periods are from the past and belong to history.

in ancient ages

Highlights the very early nature and antiquity.

in days of yore

Implies a sense of nostalgia or old-fashioned storytelling.

long ago

Simple, concise way of expressing a time far in the past.

in olden times

Conveys a sense of antiquity and tradition.

in former times

Describes a past period without specifying how distant.

in days gone by

Highlights the passing of previous periods.

in the past

General term for any time before the present, less specific.

once upon a time

Often used in fairy tales or stories to introduce a past narrative.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "in distant times" in a sentence?

Use "in distant times" to refer to a period significantly removed from the present, often to highlight changes or differences between then and now. For example, "In distant times, the roles of men and women were very different from what they are today."

What are some alternatives to saying "in distant times"?

You can use alternatives such as "in remote times", "long ago", or "in bygone eras" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "in distant times" in formal writing?

Yes, "in distant times" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when setting a historical context or making comparisons across different eras. However, be mindful of your overall tone and ensure it aligns with the formality of your piece.

How does "in distant times" differ from "in the past"?

"In the past" is a general term for any time before the present, while "in distant times" specifically refers to a period significantly removed from the current era, implying a greater separation in time and often cultural context.