take some distance

USAGE SUMMARY

"take some distance" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to mean "keep one's distance" or "maintain a certain level of physical or emotional separation" from someone or something. For example, "I decided to take some distance from my friends to focus more on my studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But the writer has to remain critical, to take some distance, to give credit where it's due, even if there's a temptation to throw one's lot in with, say, the huge wave of youth activism that's emerged in recent years.

The Guardian

An Israeli official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the issue, said that Israel would not boycott Mr. Williams, who periodically visits here to meet with officials, but that Israel had decided "to take some distance from him for a while".

The New York Times

The Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister David Cameron, is seeking to take some distance from the 27-nation bloc partly because his own parliamentarians feel under pressure from the United Kingdom Independence Party, which wants to take Britain out of the European Union altogether.

The New York Times

In the foreword to the volume, Van Rompuy describes the haiku as an ideal verse form for the modern world: "Its artlessness invites both the poet and the reader to pause for a while and take some distance from the daily hustle and bustle, in which we hopelessly and all too easily get entangled.

The Guardian

"Then take some distance and re-evaluate and look back at it rationally.

BBC

"When we do well we take all the plaudits, so we have to take all the blame when it doesn't go as well - but we have, on both sides, to take some distance.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But he took some distance from the language of "extremist".

The New York Times

What comes through clearly in "Violence and Metaphysics" is Derrida's great sympathy for Levinas's thought of alterity, and at the same it is clear that Derrida is taking some distance from Levinas's thought.

SEP

"It took some distance and time for people to sift through what he was saying and see what might be valuable". There are still those who argue that his views on schizophrenia were dangerous nonsense which encouraged patients to stop taking their medication.

BBC

In the words of Moroccan Farida, who takes some distance from her husband "who is a bit unhappy because he has always wished that there may be a future in our country", Future – This is something I'm thinking of, but there's a long way ahead, it's not easy.

Comparative Migration Studies

We took some distance from the project after the cycle for that third record had come to an end.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take some distance" when you want to express the need for a temporary or permanent separation to gain clarity, objectivity, or emotional space. It applies to both physical and abstract contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "take some distance" if your intention is to convey indifference or disinterest. This phrase implies a deliberate act of creating space, not a lack of care.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take some distance" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It expresses the action of creating a separation, either physically or emotionally, to achieve a different perspective or reduce involvement. The Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take some distance" is a versatile expression signifying the act of creating separation for clarity, objectivity, or emotional well-being. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread use. It functions as a verb phrase with a neutral register, suitable for various contexts from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intention of creating space rather than conveying indifference. Alternatives like "keep one's distance" or "distance oneself" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep one's distance

Indicates avoiding closeness with someone or something.

distance oneself

Reflexive verb emphasizing personal removal.

withdraw from

Suggests pulling back from involvement.

create separation

Focuses on the act of making something separate.

step back

Implies taking a break or reducing involvement.

establish detachment

Emphasizes a more formal and deliberate separation.

pull away

Suggests a sudden or forceful separation.

maintain separation

Highlights the ongoing effort to keep things apart.

find space

Emphasizes creating physical or emotional room.

gain perspective

Focuses on achieving a clearer understanding through separation.

FAQs

How can I use "take some distance" in a sentence?

You can use "take some distance" to suggest creating separation for clarity or objectivity, as in, "The writer needs to take some distance to remain critical."

What does it mean to "take some distance" from a situation?

To "take some distance" from a situation means to create a separation, either physically or emotionally, to gain a new perspective or to avoid being too involved.

Which is more appropriate, "take some distance" or "get some distance"?

Both "take some distance" and "get some distance" are appropriate and largely interchangeable, though "take some distance" may imply a more deliberate action.

What's the difference between "take some distance" and "distance oneself"?

"Take some distance" is a more general phrase, while "distance oneself" specifically refers to the act of an individual creating separation between themselves and something else.