a far second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a far second' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is a distant second to something else in terms of superiority, such as importance, value, or rank. For example: "In terms of success, this year's event was a far second to last year's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But for many, the first reflex is suspicion that the finer points of life come a far second to raw power and the bottom line.

The New York Times - Books

His supporters say that nobody is better at winning than Mr. Powers, a former aide to Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato who took over the state party after it had been left for dead in the 1990 election, when the Republican candidate for governor, Pierre Rinfret, finished a far second to Mr. Cuomo and left the party more than $2 million in debt.

The New York Times

Both Wharton and Stanford come in at a far second, each with only 15 chiefs represented.

Forbes

The US is Canada's number-one trading partner, with Mexico a far second.

BBC

The "horse soldiers" were a far second best compared to the dashing Confederate cavalry.

Wikipedia

And 68percentt of people who die from alcohol poisoning are non-Hispanic whites, with Hispanic people a far second at 15percentt.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

My favorite monetary economist considers NGDP targeting a (far) second-best option, after the classical gold standard.

Forbes

More recent indicators point to a far weaker second quarter.

The Economist

McCreery followed up that disc with a far superior second album that launched the delightful single See You Tonight.

The Guardian - Music

She divorced Kuser in 1930 and in 1932 acquired a far superior second husband, the doting stockbroker Charles Marshall, known as Buddie.

The New York Times - Books

72 mins It's been a far cagier second-half, which suggests we could be in for a long night.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a far second" to clearly indicate a significant difference or gap between the first and second positions, ensuring your audience understands the magnitude of the disparity.

Common error

Avoid using "a far second" when the difference is marginal or negligible; reserve it for situations where the separation is truly substantial and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a far second" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied), indicating that something occupies a position that is significantly lower or less important than the first. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a far second" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for emphasizing a significant difference in rank, importance, or quality. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, although most commonly found in news and media. When using "a far second", be sure that the disparity you're describing is indeed substantial. Alternatives like "a distant runner-up" can be used for similar emphasis. Avoid using this expression for minor differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distant runner-up

Emphasizes the considerable gap between the first and second positions.

a remote second place

Highlights the separation in achievement or ranking.

a long way behind

Focuses on the trailing distance or disparity.

significantly inferior

Directly indicates a lower level of quality or status.

considerably less important

Underscores the difference in significance.

well behind the leader

Indicates a substantial gap in a competitive context.

substantially secondary

Highlights that something is markedly less important or influential.

noticeably subordinate

Points out a clear difference in power or position.

a distinct second tier

Implies a division into levels with considerable difference between them.

markedly less significant

Emphasizes the noteworthy difference in importance or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "a far second" in a sentence?

Use "a far second" to emphasize that something is significantly less important or successful than something else. For example, "In terms of revenue, the new product was "a far second" to the company's flagship offering."

What are some alternatives to using "a far second"?

You can use alternatives such as "a distant runner-up", "significantly inferior", or "considerably less important" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a far second"?

Yes, "a far second" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a significant difference in rank or quality. It is used to describe something that is notably inferior or less successful compared to something else.

What's the difference between "a close second" and "a far second"?

"A close second" implies that something is only slightly behind the leader, while ""a far second"" indicates a significant gap or difference. The former suggests tight competition, whereas the latter highlights a considerable disparity.