a long way

USAGE SUMMARY

"a long way" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to indicate a significant distance, time, or progress that has been traveled or achieved. Here are a few examples: 1. "After hiking for two hours, we still had a long way to go before reaching the summit of the mountain." 2. "It took a long way for our team to reach the top of the leaderboard, but our hard work paid off in the end." 3. "Despite facing many obstacles, she has come a long way in her career and is now a successful businesswoman." 4. "I'm sorry for my behavior, I know I still have a long way to go before becoming a better person." 5. "The project is still in its early stages, but we have come a long way since the initial planning phase." In all these examples, "a long way" is used to emphasize the distance, time, or progress that has been covered or needs to be covered. It is a versatile phrase that can be used in formal or informal writing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Long Way Down.

The Economist

A long way indeed.

The New York Times

By a long way.

Independent

It's a long way.

The New York Times

That's a long way off.

The New York Times

"We've come a long way.

The New York Times

'It is a long way.

The Guardian

A long way from Tbilisi.

Forbes

"A long way to go".

The New York Times

It goes a long way".

The New York Times - Arts

"I came a long way.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a long way" to emphasize significant progress, distance, or time. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the "long way" refers to, providing clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a long way" in vague contexts where the specific distance, progress, or time is unclear. Provide specific details to enhance understanding and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long way" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the extent of distance, progress, or time involved. As Ludwig AI indicates, this expression is widely used and understood in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a long way" is a versatile and commonly used expression in English to indicate significant distance, progress, or time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide acceptance. It functions as an adverbial phrase, primarily serving to emphasize the magnitude of a journey or achievement. It is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. When using "a long way", ensure clarity by specifying what the "long way" refers to and avoid vague contexts. Related alternatives include "considerable distance" and "significant progress".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable distance

This alternative emphasizes the extent of physical separation or progress made.

significant progress

This highlights the advancement or development achieved, focusing on the result.

substantial journey

Focuses on the act of traveling and the magnitude of the distance covered.

lengthy process

This phrase emphasizes the extended duration of a task or development.

great strides

This highlights significant improvements or advancements made.

extensive route

This alternative emphasizes the prolonged or vast nature of the path taken.

remarkable advancement

Highlights the notable degree of improvement or progress.

serious undertaking

This phrase focuses on the commitment required to complete a substantial task.

notable evolution

Focuses on the considerable degree of development or change over time.

difficult climb

Emphasizes the challenges overcome during a journey or endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "a long way" in a sentence?

You can use "a long way" to describe significant distance, progress, or time, as in "We still have "a long way to go"" or "She's come "a long way since" starting her new job".

What are some alternatives to using "a long way"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "considerable distance", "significant progress", or "substantial journey" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "a long way to go"?

Yes, "a long way to go" is a common and correct idiom that means there is still much work to be done or a significant distance to travel before reaching a goal or destination.

What's the difference between "a long way" and "far away"?

"A long way" often implies progress or achievement over time, while "far away" typically refers to physical distance. For instance, "He's come "a long way" in his career" suggests advancement, whereas "The destination is "far away"" indicates physical separation.