a long way to go

USAGE SUMMARY

"a long way to go" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe an amount of work or progress still needing to be done. For example, you could say, "We have made a lot of progress, but there is still a long way to go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Long Way To Go by Marjorie Darke.

The Guardian

"A long way to go".

The New York Times

It has a long way to go.

The Economist

There remains a long way to go.

The Economist

I have a long way to go".

The New York Times - Magazine

"There is a long way to go".

The New York Times

There's a long way to go.

Forbes

We got a long way to go.

The New York Times - Sports

She has a long way to go.

The New York Times

You have a long way to go.

University of California, Berkeley

There's still a long way to go.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a long way to go", consider adding a qualifier to provide context and scale. For example, instead of simply saying "We have "a long way to go"," specify what that 'long way' entails: "We have "a long way to go" in terms of reducing carbon emissions."

Common error

Avoid using "a long way to go" as a standalone statement without providing context or measurable goals. Instead of saying, "Our project has "a long way to go"," specify the areas needing improvement: "Our project has "a long way to go" in terms of user engagement and retention."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long way to go" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression. It serves as a statement indicating that substantial progress or effort is still required to reach a desired outcome. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

19%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long way to go" is a versatile phrase used to express the need for continued progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While adaptable to both formal and informal writing, it's crucial to provide context and specific details when using it to avoid vagueness. For alternatives, consider "much remains to be done" or "significant progress is still needed" to convey similar meanings with slight nuances. By understanding its function, purpose, and usage patterns, writers can effectively incorporate "a long way to go" into their vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Much remains to be done

Focuses on the remaining tasks rather than distance.

Significant progress is still needed

Emphasizes the necessity of further progress.

There's a considerable distance to cover

Highlights the extent of the remaining journey or work.

The end is not yet in sight

Focuses on the uncertainty of reaching the final goal.

We're only scratching the surface

Suggests that the initial efforts are minimal compared to what's required.

We have only just begun

Implies that the major part of the effort is still ahead.

There is still much ground to gain

Emphasizes the need to overcome remaining obstacles.

We are far from finished

Highlights the incomplete state of the project or endeavor.

Substantial advancements are awaited

Underlines the importance of more substantial improvements.

The journey is far from over

Focuses on the remaining duration of the process.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long way to go" to express that there is still much progress to be made. For example, "Although we've made some advancements, we still have "a long way to go" before achieving our goals."

What are some alternatives to saying "a long way to go"?

Alternatives include "much remains to be done", "significant progress is still needed", or "there is still much ground to gain", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a long way to go" in formal writing?

Yes, "a long way to go" is generally acceptable in formal writing, although you might prefer a more sophisticated alternative like "substantial advancements are awaited" for a more impactful statement.

What's the difference between "a long way to go" and "a long road ahead"?

"A long way to go" emphasizes the distance remaining to a goal, while "a long road ahead" focuses more on the challenging journey and potential difficulties involved in achieving that goal.