- Are you unsure whether to say “long distance” or “big distance”?
- Do you know which preposition follows “distance” when talking about two cities?
- Have you ever struggled to describe the space between yourself and a coworker professionally?
Mastering distance collocations is essential for any English learner aiming for fluency. In English, words don’t exist in isolation; they live in “word partnerships.” Using the correct combinations with the word “distance” will help you sound more like a native speaker, improve your writing clarity, and reduce the mental effort required to translate from your native language.
Essential Collocations using DISTANCE as a Noun
In most contexts, “distance” functions as a noun referring to physical space, a point in time, or an emotional gap. Here is how native speakers categorize these partnerships.
Describing Physical Span (Adjective + Noun)
- Long distance: A great amount of space.
Example: He isn’t used to driving such a long distance to work. - Short distance: A small amount of space.
Example: The hotel is only a short distance from the beach. - Walking distance: Close enough to reach by walking.
Example: Luckily, the grocery store is within walking distance. - Safe distance: Enough space to ensure safety.
Example: Always maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you. - Vast distance: An immense, almost immeasurable space.
Example: Satellites help us communicate across vast distances.
Actions and Movement (Verb + Noun)
- Cover the distance: To travel across a space.
Example: It took us six hours to cover the distance between the two cities. - Keep your distance: To stay away from someone or something (physically or emotionally).
Example: You should keep your distance from the construction site. - Maintain a distance: To purposefully keep a specific amount of space.
Example: It is professional to maintain a distance between your private and work life. - Measure the distance: To calculate the space.
Example: We used a GPS to measure the distance of our hike.
Social and Emotional Contexts
- A sense of distance: Feeling emotionally separated from someone.
Example: There was a growing sense of distance between the two former friends. - Distance between: Used to compare two points or ideas.
Example: The distance between theory and practice can be quite large.
Common Collocations with DISTANCE as a Verb
When used as a verb, “distance” is almost always used transitively or reflexively. It describes the act of creating a gap between oneself and an idea, person, or organization.
Professional and Political Usage
- Distance oneself from: To declare that you have no connection to something, usually something negative.
Example: The CEO tried to distance himself from the scandal. - Distance the brand from: Marketing term for changing a product’s image.
Example: The company wants to distance the brand from its old-fashioned reputation.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Walking distance | Adjective + Noun | Very close; easy to walk to. |
| Cover the distance | Verb + Noun | To complete a journey. |
| Keep your distance | Verb + Noun | To stay away for safety or privacy. |
| Distance oneself from | Verb + Preposition | To disconnect from an idea or person. |
| In the distance | Prepositional Phrase | Far away but visible/audible. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| A big distance (referring to travel) | A long distance |
| In a walking distance | Within walking distance |
| Make distance from the scandal | Distance oneself from the scandal |
| The distance among them | The distance between them |
Contextual Story
“When I moved to the city, I made sure my apartment was within walking distance of the subway. Even though I have to cover a long distance to get to the office every morning, the commute is manageable. I try to maintain a professional distance from my colleagues, but I always make sure to keep a safe distance when cycling through the busy morning traffic. I saw a lighthouse in the distance today, which reminded me how far I’ve come from my small hometown.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Distance Collocations
Is it “in the distance” or “at the distance”?
We use “in the distance” to describe something that is far away but can be seen or heard (e.g., “I saw a ship in the distance”). We use “at a distance” to describe the manner in which something is done or held (e.g., “The painting looks better when viewed at a distance”).
What does “within striking distance” mean?
This is an idiomatic collocation meaning very close to achieving a goal or reaching a destination. For example, “The runner is now within striking distance of the world record.”
Can I use “big distance”?
While grammatically possible, it sounds unnatural to native speakers. It is almost always better to use “long distance,” “vast distance,” or “great distance.”
What is the difference between “social distance” and “distancing”?
“Social distance” is a noun phrase referring to the gap between social groups, while “social distancing” (a gerund phrase) became common in 2020 to describe the physical space kept between people to prevent the spread of illness.
Which preposition follows the verb “distance”?
The verb “distance” is almost exclusively followed by the preposition “from.” You distance yourself from an organization, a person, or a statement.
Thank you for explaining the difference between 'long distance' and 'big distance.' This was a common error for me, and I appreciate the clarity!
You're most welcome, Sophie! We're glad we could clear up that common point of confusion. Mastering these subtle distinctions truly elevates your English fluency. Keep up the great work!
Are there any informal or slang uses of 'distance' that are interesting? Like how 'space out' means something different.
That's a fun angle, Ravi! While 'distance' itself tends to be quite neutral or formal, its related phrasal verbs can have informal uses. For example, 'to distance oneself from' can mean to disassociate. And as you noted, 'space out' (meaning to become inattentive or lose focus) is a great example of an idiom where 'space' (related to distance) takes on a completely different, informal meaning. Excellent observation!
This is exactly what I needed! The examples are super helpful. I'm trying to improve my business English, and sounding natural with these small words makes a huge difference.
That's wonderful to hear, Olga! Mastering these nuances, especially in collocations, is indeed crucial for professional and natural communication. Keep practicing with these examples, and your business English will flourish!
I always use 'a bit distance' when I mean 'a short distance'. I guess that's not quite right? This article is a real eye-opener.
You're spot on, David! While 'a bit' is a useful intensifier, 'a bit distance' isn't a standard collocation. 'A short distance' or 'a little distance' (though less common than 'short') are the correct ways to express that. We're glad the article is helping you refine your phrasing!
What about using 'remote' vs 'long distance'? Like 'a remote village' vs 'a long-distance village'. Is there a difference in nuance?
Great question, Priya! While both imply farness, 'remote' specifically refers to a place that is far away and isolated, often difficult to access. 'Long-distance' (when used as an adjective) describes something that covers a great expanse, like 'a long-distance call' or 'a long-distance relationship.' You wouldn't typically say 'a long-distance village' but rather 'a remote village' or 'a village a long distance away.'
This article is perfect for my intermediate class. I like how it breaks down 'distance' into physical, temporal, and emotional. Very clear structure!
Thank you, Kenji! We designed it with clarity for learners and educators in mind. We're delighted it's a good fit for your intermediate class and helps illustrate the multifaceted nature of 'distance' in English.
Are there any common misuses of 'distance' collocations that native speakers find particularly jarring or humorous?
That's an interesting question, Sofie! While 'jarring' is subjective, using 'big distance' instead of 'long distance' is a classic one that often stands out. Another might be trying to make 'short distance' plural ('short distances') when describing a singular span. But generally, native speakers appreciate the effort and context usually makes meaning clear!
I always default to 'big' for everything large, so 'long distance' is a crucial correction for me. Can you suggest any exercises to practice these collocations specifically?
It's a very common habit, Ben, and recognizing it is the first step to improvement! For practice, try creating your own sentences using each collocation, or fill-in-the-blank exercises. Reading extensively and noting how native speakers use these phrases is also incredibly effective. Good luck!
This explains why my sentences sometimes sound a bit 'off' to native speakers! It's the collocations. I'm going to start paying much more attention to these word partnerships. Thanks!
You've discovered a key secret to sounding more natural, Kim! Focusing on collocations is a game-changer. We're happy to have provided that 'aha!' moment for you. Your English will sound much more fluid now!
What about 'keep your distance'? Is that an idiom or a collocation that implies safety or respect, often in a social context?
That's an excellent observation, Fatima! 'Keep your distance' is a very common phrasal collocation (verb + noun) that implies maintaining physical space, often for safety, personal space, or even emotional boundaries. It can be used literally ('Keep your distance from the fire') or figuratively ('He likes to keep his distance emotionally').