as far as he gets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as far as he gets" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the extent or limit of someone's progress or achievement in a particular context. Example: "He has been working on the project for weeks, and as far as he gets, he has completed the initial research phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is as far as he gets.

The Guardian

As Keller investigates, he draws near, but a hug is as far as he gets; if George Clooney, the human catnip, couldn't even grab a kiss off Kidman in "The Peacemaker," then poor old Penn doesn't stand a chance.

The New Yorker

No jousts, no Grail and barely even the hint of a love triangle: Lancelot (the Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd) darts a few looks at Guinevere (Keira Knightley, from "Pirates of the Caribbean"), but that's as far as he gets; she's interested only in Arthur Clive Owenn).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"That was as far as he got," Green said.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe this was as far as he got.

The New Yorker

That was as far as he got, though.

The Guardian

"That's as far as he got," Mrs. McLaughlin said.

The New York Times

And I admire him greatly for that, just working out as far as he got.

Cornell University

Mr. Chaibou received a massage and completed his own warm-ups, but that was as far as he got.

The New York Times - Sports

It was in New Port Richey was as far as he got before falling asleep, then waking up to, No, Crystal River!, and falling asleep again, still without a name.

The New Yorker

Bush tried feebly to respond, but a halting "Well, I've been — " was as far as he got before Rubio interrupted him to talk confidently and a little patronizingly about how his own campaign is "about the future," how much he admires his hapless former patron, and how important it is to defeat Hillary Clinton.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as far as he gets" to clearly define the limitations or boundaries of someone's progress in a specific task or endeavor. It provides a concise way to describe the current state of achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "as far as he gets" when the context requires emphasizing potential future progress. This phrase is best suited for describing the existing state, not anticipated outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as far as he gets" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent or limit of progress or achievement. Ludwig's examples show it describing the furthest point reached in a process or endeavor.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as far as he gets" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to denote the limit or extent of someone's progress or achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and use in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Academia. While not exceedingly common, its usage is clear and effective, offering a neutral tone suitable for formal and informal communication. When you need to define boundaries in progress, this phrase can be quite helpful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as much as he accomplishes

Stresses the quantity or amount of work completed.

to the degree he progresses

Emphasizes the level or extent of progress achieved.

how much he has managed

Highlights the amount or degree of success that has been managed.

to the extent he achieves

Focuses on accomplishments and the boundaries of those achievements.

up to his current level

Highlights the present stage or position someone has reached.

the scope of his success

Emphasizes the range or breadth of someone's achievements.

to the limit of his ability

Highlights the constraint imposed by someone's skills or capabilities.

the furthest extent of his reach

Suggests the maximum range or scope of someone's influence or effort.

the pinnacle of his advancement

Stresses the highest point of progress or development achieved.

his ultimate attainment

Focuses on the final goal or achievement that someone reaches.

FAQs

How can I use "as far as he gets" in a sentence?

You can use "as far as he gets" to indicate the limit or extent of someone's progress, such as, "After months of training, that's "as far as he gets" in the marathon."

What are some alternatives to "as far as he gets"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to the degree he progresses", "up to his current level", or "as much as he accomplishes", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "as far as he gets" in formal writing?

Yes, "as far as he gets" is acceptable in formal writing when used to accurately describe the extent of someone's achievement. However, ensure it fits the overall tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "as far as he gets" and "as far as he can go"?

"As far as he gets" describes the current state of progress, whereas "as far as he can go" implies a potential limit or future possibility. The first is about what has been achieved; the second is about what is achievable.