more distant than ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more distant than ever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or relationship that has become increasingly remote or disconnected over time. Example: "After the argument, I felt that we were more distant than ever, and it was hard to bridge the gap between us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

And bosses are more distant than ever.

The Economist

Fuller's brand of idealism seems more distant than ever.

The New York Times - Arts

Home ownership in her beloved but fast-changing London seems more distant than ever.

The Guardian

The days of the denim Stetson seem more distant than ever.

The Guardian - Music

Other goals look more distant than ever, particularly with regard to crime and drugs.

The Guardian

An unhappy legacy of the election of 2000 is that that day now seems more distant than ever.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The Islamist group Boko Haram has seized Chibok, the Nigerian town from which it kidnapped 276 schoolgirls earlier this year, in a show of strength that makes the teenagers' safe release a more distant prospect than ever.

The Guardian

Prospects for any kind of reconciliation now look more distant than ever.In this section But what will Megawati do?

The Economist

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a church leader who serves on the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said at a news conference that the reason for the change was "to get the Gospel to more people in more distant places than we've ever gone before".

The New York Times

Now that the editing process is under way, Ms. Balakian is in some ways more distant from the film than ever before.

The New York Times

Satellites, electronic-eavesdropping planes and human ground spotters worked together more reliably than ever, enabling distant commanders to direct warplanes to targets with stunning speed and accuracy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more distant than ever" to effectively convey a growing sense of separation, remoteness, or unlikelihood, especially when describing trends or changes over time. For example, 'Peace in the region seems "more distant than ever" after the recent conflict.'

Common error

Avoid using "more distant than ever" in predictable or clichéd situations. Instead, seek more specific and evocative language to capture the unique nature of the distance or separation you're describing.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrase. The phrase "more distant than ever" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the degree to which something has become more remote or unlikely. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples where the phrase describes a worsening situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more distant than ever" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that has become increasingly remote, unlikely, or separated over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to emphasize a negative trend, and it's most frequently used in news and media contexts. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's important to avoid overuse in clichéd situations and consider more specific language to convey the unique nature of the separation or remoteness you're describing. Consider alternatives like "more unattainable than ever" or "further apart than ever" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more remote than ever

Similar to the original phrase, but places more emphasis on physical or geographical distance.

further apart than ever

Highlights the separation between two entities or ideas, stressing divergence.

more unattainable than ever

Focuses on the impossibility of reaching a goal, rather than a sense of emotional distance.

further removed than ever

Stresses the detachment or separation from a previous state or condition.

more estranged than ever

Specifically indicates a breakdown in a relationship, emphasizing alienation.

more out of reach than ever

Emphasizes the inaccessibility of a goal or desire.

less likely than ever

Shifts the focus to probability, indicating a decreased chance of something happening.

more improbable than ever

Similar to 'less likely than ever', this phrase emphasizes how unlikely something is to occur.

increasingly unlikely

Indicates a gradual decrease in the likelihood of something happening.

a fading memory

Highlights the act of forgetting, emphasizing that something has become something that one has forgotten or is starting to forget.

FAQs

How can I use "more distant than ever" in a sentence?

You can use "more distant than ever" to describe a situation or relationship that has become increasingly remote or disconnected over time. For example: 'After the argument, I felt that we were "more distant than ever", and it was hard to bridge the gap between us.'

What can I say instead of "more distant than ever"?

You can use alternatives like "more unattainable than ever", "more remote than ever", or "further apart than ever" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "more distant than ever"?

It is appropriate to use "more distant than ever" when you want to emphasize that something is not just distant, but has become increasingly so over time. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting a negative trend or a deteriorating situation.

What's the difference between "more distant than ever" and "less likely than ever"?

While both phrases express a negative outlook, "more distant than ever" emphasizes a sense of separation or remoteness, while "less likely than ever" focuses on the decreased probability of something occurring. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight separation or reduced chance.