a bit further than

USAGE SUMMARY

'a bit further than' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a small distance or degree beyond a certain point or limit. Example: Mary walked a bit further than the designated meeting spot. In this sentence, 'a bit further than' is used to show that Mary went a little bit past the agreed upon spot for the meeting. It could also be used in a similar way in other contexts, such as: - The store is just a bit further than the park. - The temperature is a bit further than what was forecasted. - We'll have to walk a bit further than we planned to get to the restaurant.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although it went a bit further than supporting.

The Guardian - Opinion

I could go a bit further than that.

The Guardian

"We've maybe pushed it a bit further than the idea has been pushed before.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But he thinks it actually goes back a bit further than that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But sometimes you need to cast the net a bit further than your immediate working circle".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"She carried that a bit further than we expected her to," Mr. Kitchen said.

The New York Times

I would have thought Favre's retirement would drop the Packers down a bit further than that.

The New York Times

That sounds like a truth worth dying for and it goes a bit further than religious dialogue.

The Economist

Note: I currently have them set up a bit further than 13cm apart and quite a bit lower than horizontal, and this works great for me.

Stanford University

The in-game goat goes a bit further than that, blowing up barbecues, interfering with amateur science experiments and taking to the skies in a rocket-propelled jetpack.

The Guardian - Tech

Ms. Merkel went a bit further than Mr. Obama in calling for a remedy to the disputed election, saying that votes should be recounted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bit further than", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being exceeded or surpassed. This phrase is most effective when the comparison is direct and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit further than" without a clear reference point for comparison. Ensure your sentence provides enough context for the reader to understand what is being exceeded or surpassed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit further than" functions as an adverbial phrase of degree, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the extent to which something exceeds a certain limit. Ludwig's examples show its comparative use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit further than" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to indicate that something extends slightly beyond a certain point or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for general use. When using this phrase, ensure a clear comparison point to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "slightly beyond" or "a little past" offer similar meanings for varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly beyond

Focuses on a small degree of surpassing, similar to the 'bit' in the original phrase, but uses different wording.

a tad further than

Uses "tad" as an informal synonym for "a bit", maintaining a casual tone.

a little past

Indicates going slightly over a particular location or point, emphasizing spatial or conceptual movement.

just over

Suggests a point immediately beyond a given threshold or limit.

somewhat more than

Uses 'somewhat' to express a moderate degree of exceeding, providing a slightly more formal tone.

marginally exceeding

Highlights the act of surpassing by a narrow margin, suitable for technical or precise contexts.

extending slightly beyond

Highlights the action of reaching or stretching a small distance past something.

a shade over

Emphasizes a minimal amount of excess, creating a subtle and understated comparison.

slightly in excess of

Formally denotes a small quantity above a specified level or amount.

a hair's breadth beyond

Emphasizes a very small increment of exceeding, often used for dramatic or figurative effect.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit further than" in a sentence?

Use "a bit further than" to indicate that something extends slightly beyond a certain point. For example, "The destination is "a bit further than" I anticipated".

What phrases are similar to "a bit further than"?

Similar phrases include "slightly beyond", "a little past", or "somewhat more than". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a more formal alternative to "a bit further than"?

Yes, phrases like "slightly in excess of" or "marginally exceeding" can be used in more formal contexts.

When should I use "a bit further than" instead of "much further than"?

Use "a bit further than" when the difference is small or insignificant. Use "much further than" to emphasize a significant difference or greater extent.