a way to go

USAGE SUMMARY

"a way to go" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express encouragement or congratulations to someone who has achieved something. For example, "You got an A on your test! A way to go!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, they have a way to go.

The New York Times

She has a way to go.

Independent

But there is a way to go.

The Economist

China, too, has a way to go.

The Economist

There's still a way to go.

The New York Times

"This was a way to go".

The New York Times - Travel

Still, there is a way to go.

The Economist

But it has a way to go.

The Guardian - Travel

What a way to go.

The New York Times - Sports

There's a way to go yet".

The Guardian - Arts

Still, what a way to go.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a way to go" to acknowledge current progress while also recognizing that more work is required to reach a final goal. This provides a balanced and realistic assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "a way to go" excessively in very informal conversations. While generally acceptable, in some contexts, simpler phrases might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a way to go" functions as an idiom, acting as a noun phrase that often serves as a comment or observation within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a way to go" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to acknowledge that while progress has been made, more effort is required to achieve a final goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for various settings. While versatile, consider using more formal alternatives in highly professional contexts to maintain the appropriate tone. Overall, understanding its usage helps in providing balanced and realistic assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still some work ahead

This alternative is less formal and emphasizes future effort.

progress to be made

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing need for progress.

distance to cover

This alternative uses a spatial metaphor to describe the remaining task.

more steps needed

This alternative emphasizes the individual actions required.

ground to gain

This alternative suggests competition or catching up.

much remains to be done

This alternative is more formal and stresses the amount of work left.

further strides are necessary

This alternative is quite formal and highlights the need for advancements.

the journey continues

Emphasizes the continuous, ongoing aspect of the effort.

pathway ahead

This emphasizes the journey and future

miles to go before I sleep

A literary reference emphasizing the journey and obligations

FAQs

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

You can use "a way to go" to indicate that progress has been made, but there is still more work to do. For example, "The project is coming along well, but we still have "a way to go" before it's finished."

What does "a way to go" mean?

The phrase "a way to go" means that there is still progress to be made or distance to cover before reaching a specific goal or destination.

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

Some alternatives to "a way to go" include phrases like "progress to be made", "more work ahead", or "much remains to be done" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a way to go" is generally acceptable in professional writing, especially when providing realistic assessments of projects or goals. However, consider the formality of the document and choose alternatives like "further strides are necessary" for very formal contexts.