too remote

USAGE SUMMARY

"too remote" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It is used to describe when something is deemed too far away to be directly affected by a given situation, or is too remote to approach. For example, "The small village was too remote for the army's convoy to reach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Too remote.

The New York Times

It was too remote".

Independent

"Otherwise it is too remote".

The New York Times - Tech

Middlebury? "Too remote".

The New York Times

It's just too remote.

The New Yorker

No place was too remote.

The New York Times

The damages here are too remote.

Harvard University

the Department of Health was too remote.

The Guardian

The 19th century seems too remote a guide.

The Economist

Too often he comes over as too remote, too intellectual.

The Economist

Even walls can render your employees too remote, she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "too remote" to clearly convey that something is so distant or disconnected that it is impractical, irrelevant, or inaccessible. For example, "The idea of colonizing Mars is still too remote to be a practical goal."

Common error

While "too remote" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise language might be preferable. Consider alternatives like "excessively distant" or "impractical due to distance" for greater clarity and formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too remote" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes something as being excessively distant, either physically or figuratively, making it inaccessible, irrelevant, or impractical. This is consistent with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too remote" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something as excessively distant or disconnected, either physically or figuratively. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to modify a noun, expressing a judgment about the degree of separation and implying negative consequences like impracticality or irrelevance. While versatile, it's important to consider context and potentially opt for more precise language in highly formal or scientific settings. Its prevalence in news media, academic writing, and general discourse indicates its widespread applicability across different registers. Remember to use it to effectively convey that something is not just distant, but also impractical or disconnected as a result. Consider alternatives such as "excessively distant" or "out of reach" to fine-tune your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively distant

Replaces "remote" with "distant", emphasizing the extent of the distance.

inaccessible location

Focuses on the lack of accessibility rather than distance.

overly isolated

Highlights the sense of being separated and alone.

extremely secluded

Emphasizes privacy and separation from others.

prohibitively far

Indicates that the distance makes something impractical or impossible.

unreachably distant

Highlights the impossibility of reaching something.

out of reach

Suggests something is beyond practical or figurative grasp.

beyond the pale

Implies something is outside acceptable boundaries or norms.

detached from reality

Focuses on a lack of connection to practical concerns.

worlds away

Emphasizes a large figurative or literal distance.

FAQs

How to use "too remote" in a sentence?

You can use "too remote" to describe a location, idea, or possibility that is distant or disconnected. For instance, "The village was "too remote" for regular supplies to reach it" or "The possibility of winning the lottery is "too remote" to consider as a retirement plan".

What can I say instead of "too remote"?

Alternatives to "too remote" include "excessively distant", "highly isolated", or "out of reach", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "too remote" or "very remote"?

Both ""too remote"" and "very remote" are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "Too remote" suggests that something is distant to an undesirable or impractical degree, while "very remote" simply indicates a high degree of distance without necessarily implying a negative connotation.

What's the difference between "too remote" and "too distant"?

While ""too remote"" and "too distant" are similar, "too remote" often implies a lack of connection or relevance in addition to physical distance, whereas "too distant" primarily emphasizes the physical or temporal separation.