Cool MateApart vs Distant
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Apart
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Distant
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Apart
| Apart | Distant | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpɑːt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpɑːrt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdɪstənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdɪstənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not together; separated. | Far away in space or time. |
| Example | The two pieces of the puzzle were apart from each other. | The distant mountains were barely visible through the morning mist. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adjective |
| Collocations | grow apart, drift apart, take apart | be, sound, become, extremely, fairly, very, from, two miles distant, three days distant, etc., be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, cold and distant, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, cold and distant |
| Antonyms | together, close, connected | near, close, proximate |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'a part' — use as two words when referring to a piece of something., Using it incorrectly in places where 'together' is meant., Mixing it with 'apart from' — which means besides. | Confused with 'distant' vs 'dissident' in spelling and meaning., Incorrectly using it to describe nearby objects., Using 'distant' in an emotional context without acknowledging closeness. |
| Usage notes | Use 'apart' to describe physical distance or emotional separation. It’s suitable in neutral contexts. Avoid using in formal writing where 'separate' could be more appropriate. | Used to describe things or people that are far away. It can refer to physical distance or emotional separation. Avoid in informal contexts when describing close relationships. |
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Frequently asked questions: Apart vs Distant
What's the difference between Apart and Distant?
Apart: Not together; separated. Distant: Far away in space or time.
Which is more common: Apart and Distant?
Apart is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Apart and Distant?
Distant is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Apart and Distant the same CEFR level?
Apart: B1, Distant: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Apart and Distant?
Apart: adverb, Distant: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Apart: The two pieces of the puzzle were apart from each other. Distant: The distant mountains were barely visible through the morning mist.
Can I use Apart and Distant interchangeably?
Not always. Apart and Distant are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.