is one step removed

USAGE SUMMARY

"is one step removed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when something is not directly connected to or involved in something else. For example: "The new leadership is one step removed from the decisions that led to this crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

When you're sat at home on the couch with a gamepad, that's already one step removed from a wheel, which is one step removed from actually being in a car with suspension and so on.

The Guardian - Tech

Auto racing is one step removed.

The New York Times - Sports

But now, it seems, Cat Power is one step removed from those old torments.

The New York Times - Arts

"I went because I think it's very important to have a dialogue with Iran, and the idea of parliamentarians meeting is one step removed from government-to-government," Senator Specter said in an interview today.

The New York Times

She has said in the past that she took the post because she loved working with writers, producers and actors and being so close to Heggessey over the past four years, Tranter knows that the BBC1 controller is one step removed from those involved with making programmes.

The Guardian

The peculiar thing about it, and the thing that makes "Some Assembly Required" so different from "Operating Instructions," is that, as Carolyn F. put it when a few of us got together by phone, the parent of an adult child with a problem is "one step removed from desperate".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

When you're doing these jobs, at the time you don't really realise what's going on with the musicians psychologically – you're one step removed.

Vice

To serve readers best, journalists should be one step removed from their sources.

The Guardian

"We made the decision to be one step removed," Dine said.

The New Yorker

"I'm sure it's one step removed," said the spokesman, Dan Bartlett.

The New York Times

And with the Internet, you're one step removed from the people".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is one step removed" to clearly indicate an indirect relationship or connection, emphasizing the degree of separation between two elements or concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "is one step removed" when you mean something is irrelevant. This phrase implies a connection, albeit indirect, not a complete absence of relation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is one step removed" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the nature of the subject's relationship to something else. It indicates an indirect association, where the subject is not directly involved but still connected in some way, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is one step removed" serves to indicate an indirect connection or relationship between two entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase is versatile, fitting comfortably in both formal and informal contexts, although predominantly found in news, media, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure you are conveying a degree of separation, not a complete lack of connection. Consider alternatives like "is indirectly related" or "is somewhat detached" if a more precise description is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not directly involved

Clarifies a lack of direct participation or influence.

is indirectly related

Emphasizes the lack of a direct connection.

is a level removed

Focuses on a hierarchical distance or a step-by-step separation.

is somewhat detached

Highlights a degree of separation or disengagement.

is at a remove

Implies a deliberate distancing or separation.

is secondarily linked

Stresses the subordinate nature of the connection.

is consequentially related

Highlights that the relationship happens as a consequence or result.

is tangentially connected

Suggests a slight or barely relevant association.

is on the periphery

Positions something as being on the outer edge or less central.

is loosely associated

Implies a weak or tenuous connection.

FAQs

How can I use "is one step removed" in a sentence?

You can use "is one step removed" to indicate that something is indirectly related or connected to something else. For example, "The manager "is one step removed" from the day-to-day operations of the team".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "is one step removed"?

Similar phrases include "is indirectly related", "is somewhat detached", or "is a level removed". All describe a lack of direct connection.

Is it appropriate to use "is one step removed" in formal writing?

Yes, "is one step removed" can be used in formal writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears in various reputable sources, including news articles and academic papers.

What's the difference between "is one step removed" and "is completely unrelated"?

"Is one step removed" implies there's some connection, though indirect. "Is completely unrelated" indicates there is no connection whatsoever. "Is one step removed" suggests a degree of separation, whereas "is completely unrelated" suggests a total absence of any link.