rather distant

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather distant" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe someone or something that is not particularly close or intimate. For example, "He was rather distant during the party, and barely spoke to anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that point looks rather distant.

The Economist

In the past, she was rather distant.

The New York Times

"Oh," says Harry in her light, rather distant voice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mujica, however, appears to have become rather distant.

The Guardian

Despite his rather distant relation to his mate on Daphne Major, their offspring were successful.

University of California, Berkeley

As oppositions go, though, the 1997 opposition was a rather distant one.

The Guardian

God has become a mysterious and rather distant figure in this world.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He kept rather distant, which was rather good for the part.

The Guardian - Film

She kissed other heads of state, but gave him a rather distant handshake.

The New Yorker

The dog's classic cartoon antagonist, the cat, runs a rather distant second.

The New Yorker

Her very difficult father and rather distant mother brought up her two children instead.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather distant" to describe relationships, locations, or ideas that are not closely connected or easily accessible. For example, "Their relationship had become rather distant after the argument."

Common error

Avoid using "rather distant" when a stronger term like "completely detached" or "entirely separate" is more appropriate to convey the actual degree of separation or lack of connection. "Rather distant" implies a moderate degree of separation, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather distant" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "rather" modifies the adjective "distant", indicating a degree of separation or remoteness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The provided examples demonstrate its function in various contexts, from describing relationships to physical locations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather distant" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a moderate degree of separation or remoteness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its versatility is evident from its presence in diverse contexts like news, science, and academia. While alternatives such as "quite distant" or "somewhat distant" exist, each carries subtle differences in emphasis. When using "rather distant", ensure it accurately reflects the intended level of separation and avoid using it when stronger language is necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite distant

Similar in meaning, emphasizing a noticeable degree of distance.

somewhat distant

Indicates a moderate level of distance or separation.

relatively distant

Highlights the distance in comparison to something else.

fairly distant

Similar to "quite distant", suggesting a considerable amount of distance.

very distant

Emphasizes a high degree of separation.

slightly distant

Suggests a minimal or subtle degree of distance.

rather aloof

Focuses on emotional or social distance, implying detachment.

rather far off

Indicates that something is remote in time or space.

considerably removed

Suggests a significant degree of detachment or separation.

substantially separated

Highlights a notable degree of disjunction or gap.

FAQs

How can I use "rather distant" in a sentence?

You can use "rather distant" to describe something or someone that is not very close or connected. For example, "The two cities are "rather distant" from each other", or "He seemed "rather distant" during the meeting".

What's a good alternative to "rather distant"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "somewhat distant", "quite distant", or "relatively distant" to express a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "rather distant" or "very distant"?

"Rather distant" can be perceived as slightly more formal or understated than "very distant", which emphasizes a greater degree of separation or remoteness.

Can "rather distant" be used to describe emotions or only physical distance?

"Rather distant" can describe both physical distance, as in geographical locations, and emotional distance, as in relationships or personal interactions. For example, "They had a "rather distant" relationship".