are a far cry from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are a far cry from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is very different from or not as good as something else. Example: "The new product's features are a far cry from what we expected based on the initial marketing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Gins… Today's premium gins are a far cry from the old days.

Forbes

Modem Ethernet systems are a far cry from the original design.

Practical Industrial Data Communications Best Practice Techniques

But those situations are a far cry from that presented here.

Cornell University

But the supersized measures are a far cry from the British version, so go easy.

Independent

Simply put: things are a far cry from their premature coronation over the summer.

The New York Times - Sports

Kelantan and Terengganu, the two states it runs, are a far cry from Afghanistan.

The Economist

But military trials are a far cry from wartime targeting decisions.

The New York Times

And the substitute ingredients are a far cry from the originals.

The New Yorker

These specialty restaurants are a far cry from the lido deck buffet.

The New York Times

But those numbers are a far cry from those attained by Facebook, a top rival.

The New York Times - Tech

The new devices are a far cry from the original prototypes created by the Glass engineers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are a far cry from" to emphasize a significant difference, often implying that one thing is much worse or less advanced than another. For instance, "The current safety standards are a far cry from what they should be."

Common error

Avoid using "are a far cry from" when the differences are subtle or insignificant. It's best reserved for scenarios where the contrast is stark and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are a far cry from" functions as a prepositional phrase used to express a significant difference or contrast between two things. It emphasizes that one thing is substantially different, often inferior, to another. As Ludwig AI indicates, this expression is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are a far cry from" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to emphasize significant differences or contrasts. As Ludwig AI states, its grammatical structure is correct and it is widely employed in English writing. Predominantly found in news and media, it effectively conveys substantial disparities, often implying inferiority or inadequacy. When using this phrase, ensure the contrast is noteworthy to maintain impact. Alternatives like "are substantially different from" or "are nothing like" can offer similar emphasis with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are substantially different from

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difference; more formal.

are nothing like

Highlights the lack of resemblance; more informal.

bear little resemblance to

Stresses the minimal similarity; more formal.

are worlds apart from

Illustrates a vast difference, often in terms of quality or experience.

differ significantly from

Focuses on the notable distinctions.

are a different world than

Highlights a complete change in environment or experience.

stand in stark contrast to

Emphasizes a clear and obvious opposition.

are remotely similar to

Indicates the absence of even a slight resemblance. Adding not is necessary to match the semantic of the query

are not in the same league as

Implicates difference in level or quality.

diverge greatly from

Highlights the extensive departure from a standard or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "are a far cry from" in a sentence?

Use "are a far cry from" to highlight a substantial difference, suggesting that one thing is significantly inferior or dissimilar to another. For example, "The facilities at the old hospital "are a far cry from" the modern standards of the new one".

What are some alternatives to "are a far cry from"?

Alternatives include "are substantially different from", "are nothing like", or "bear little resemblance to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is a far cry from"?

Yes, the singular form "is a far cry from" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "are a far cry from" is used for plural subjects. For example, "This attempt is a far cry from his previous successes".

What's the difference between "are a far cry from" and "are slightly different from"?

"Are a far cry from" indicates a significant difference or disparity, whereas "are slightly different from" suggests only minor distinctions. Use "are a far cry from" to emphasize a more considerable contrast.