leaving a distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving a distance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of maintaining a physical or metaphorical space between two entities or individuals. Example: "In order to ensure safety during the pandemic, we are leaving a distance of six feet between each person in line."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The antagonist plug was placed on the one side of the plate (about 2 cm from the edge of the plate towards the center), while the pathogen plug was placed at the other side of the plate opposite to the antagonist plug leaving a distance of 5 cm between the two plugs.

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control

Show the child how to to do this gently, leaving a distance of 1 cm between each of the cuts.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They would not have heard the car anyway it had been left a distance down the driveway.

The New Yorker

They would not have heard the car anyway — it had been left a distance down the driveway.

The New Yorker

And as we began to walk slowly in each other's footsteps, leaving a safe distance between us, I started to think about Diana.

The New York Times

If, like ants, every human driver were a little more courteous, leaving a greater distance between himself and the car in front, most traffic experts believe fewer jams would occur.

The New Yorker

Nonetheless, economists like to see a vacancy rate that's closer to 8%, leaving Burbank a distance to go to achieve that goal.

Los Angeles Times

Poun-dee-dora is left a little distance on the rigfctA * The road is a sandy gravel.

Cornell University

The German driver left a large distance between himself and Webber and the safety car in order to hold back Alonso's Ferrari.

The New York Times - Sports

When Lynn Rogers, a biologist who has worked with Minnesota black bears for 40 years, radio-tracked bears with easy access to human food, he still found bears working day and night for wild calla leaves a short distance away.

The New York Times - Magazine

which shows that the solution can leave a positive distance before the escape time (T^{delta}).

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental setups, clearly specify the "distance" being left to ensure reproducibility. For example, "leaving a distance" of 5 cm between samples." Avoid ambiguity by providing numerical values.

Common error

Avoid using vague quantifiers like "small" or "large" when describing the "distance" being left. Always quantify the "distance" with a specific measurement (e.g., inches, centimeters, meters) to provide clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving a distance" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. Ludwig provides examples where it describes the action of creating or maintaining space between objects or entities, as seen in scientific experiments or safety protocols.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leaving a distance" is grammatically correct and serves to describe the creation or maintenance of spatial separation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is appropriate for a range of contexts, including science, news, and general writing, and while not overly common, its meaning is readily understood. Ensure to quantify the "distance" being left for clarity. Related alternatives include "keeping a space" and "maintaining separation", and these can be used to add variety to your writing. Remember, providing specific measurements is crucial to avoid ambiguity in scientific or technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaving a gap

Uses the word "gap" to denote the space that is created.

maintaining separation

Focuses on the act of keeping things apart, rather than the act of creating that separation.

keeping a space

Emphasizes the emptiness or area between objects, using more general terms.

creating separation

Highlights the act of making things separate, useful when discussing the creation of distance.

establishing distance

Focuses on the act of setting up or defining a separation.

providing clearance

Suggests ensuring sufficient space for something to pass or operate.

ensuring spacing

Similar to providing clearance, but specifically related to the arrangement of items.

allowing space

Highlights the permission or ability to have space between objects.

keeping apart

A more general term for maintaining separation.

spacing out

Focuses on the action of arrangement with space.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "leaving a distance" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "keeping a space", "maintaining separation", or "creating separation" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "leaving a distance" or "creating space"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "creating space" may be more appropriate when emphasizing the action of making room, while "leaving a distance" emphasizes the resulting separation. They are very similar in meaning.

What does "leaving a distance" imply in a scientific context?

In science, "leaving a distance" usually refers to creating a defined space between elements in an experiment to control variables or observe interactions.

How does the connotation of "leaving a distance" differ from "keeping a distance"?

"Leaving a distance" suggests the act of establishing separation, while "keeping a distance" implies maintaining an existing separation. The former emphasizes the initiation, the latter the continuation.