distance

at the distance,in the distance

at a distance--隔开一段距离；在一定的距离内；隔开一点；远距离；远处如：The oil painting looks much better at the distance.
这幅油画远看更好一些。
in the distance--在远处,在很远的那边

如：We saw a light in the distance.我们看到远处有灯光。