a far stretch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a far stretch" is not correct; the correct expression is "a far cry" or "a stretch." You can use it when discussing something that is significantly different or unlikely.
Example: "To say that he is the best player in the league is a far stretch."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"It's not a far stretch if you think about it.

The New York Times

As for Mr. Hynes's chances, he said, "It's a far stretch, but it could happen".

The New York Times

Not a far stretch from the way scientists look for evidence.

The New York Times

It is a far stretch from the Rift Valley to Monte Carlo, the tax haven of the ultrarich.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a far stretch from the 1950s and 60s, when mainstream success almost required an active political stance.

The Guardian

ACCURACY -- Calling the Democrats solely responsible for all recent tax increases is a far stretch from the facts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Interpreting the word "emissary" let alone the law relating to it to include journalists may be a very far stretch.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

It's not quite real connectivity and it's a pretty far stretch but hey, who are we to judge gaming reporting produced by the network that brought you The Hills.

TechCrunch

Among those who say they use only one social networking site, Facebook is a clear winner with 84% selecting it as their sole site, with the others lagging behind by a very far stretch: 8% solely use LinkedIn, 4% solely use Pinterest, and Instagram and Twitter each picked up only 2% — positioning them as firmly secondary in the U.S. market today.

TechCrunch

The report's most fervent denials concern whether the company asked to abandon the plant at the height of the crisis — a move that experts say could have contaminated a far wider stretch of eastern Japan, possibly even Tokyo.

The New York Times

Davies, who has played superbly so far, stretches out a leg to prod the ball back to McGregor.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "a far stretch" is commonly used, consider using alternatives like "a long shot" or "a stretch" for improved grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a far stretch" when you mean "a far cry". "A far cry" means something is very different, while "a far stretch" implies something is unlikely or an exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a far stretch" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a statement or conclusion is improbable or requires significant assumptions. Ludwig AI advises using "a far cry" or "a stretch" as alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "a far stretch" is frequently encountered, it's crucial to acknowledge its debated grammatical correctness. According to Ludwig AI, alternatives like "a far cry" or "a stretch" are preferred. This phrase often serves to express doubt or improbability, particularly in news and media contexts. For more precise and grammatically sound writing, consider replacing it with phrases like "a long shot" or "a big leap", ensuring clarity and accuracy in conveying the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long shot

Emphasizes the low probability of success or accuracy.

a big leap

Highlights the significant difference or assumption required.

a bit of a reach

Similar to "a far stretch" but slightly less emphatic.

quite a jump

Stresses the significant difference between two points.

a stretch of the imagination

Highlights the need for creativity to believe something.

hard to believe

Expresses skepticism about the truth or likelihood of something.

unlikely scenario

Focuses on the low probability of a particular event occurring.

a remote possibility

Indicates a very small chance of something happening.

not very plausible

Suggests that something lacks credibility or conviction.

a bridge too far

Indicates an attempt to achieve something that is unrealistic or overambitious.

FAQs

Is "a far stretch" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "a far stretch" is considered grammatically incorrect; the correct expression is "a far cry" or "a stretch".

What does "a far stretch" mean?

The phrase "a far stretch" is used to describe something that is unlikely, improbable, or requires a considerable amount of assumption or imagination to believe.

What can I say instead of "a far stretch"?

You can use alternatives like "a long shot", "a big leap", or "a stretch of the imagination" depending on the context.

When should I use "a far cry" instead of "a far stretch"?

Use "a far cry" when you want to emphasize that something is very different from something else. Use "a far stretch" (or preferably a better alternative) when you mean something is unlikely or exaggerated.