as far back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as far back" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a distance or point in time that is very far away or in the past. Example: As far back as I can remember, my grandmother would bake fresh bread every Sunday morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— We have you as far back as April in Shoreditch.

The New Yorker

We need not look as far back as Nuremberg.

The New York Times

The background is your province — keep as far back as is humanly possible".

The New Yorker

One possible idea goes as far back as the 1920s.

BBC

Figure 1 shows the amount of papers published each year, going as far back as 1999.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

The crust of South Africa has undergone various episodes and styles of mineralisation, dating as far back as the Archaean.

Journal of African Earth Sciences

Some of these concepts were suggested as far back as the 1950's, while others have just recently been proposed.

Fuel Processing Technology

The hotel is like a museum, displaying artefacts dating as far back as the 17th Century.

BBC

Recall bias was inevitable as patients recalled experiences extending as far back as a few years.

BMC Health Services Research

Messages were obtained from as far back as available until 25 September 2014.

Drug Safety

Scabies is an ancient disease (documented as far back as 2500 years ago).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as far back" to provide historical context or establish the longevity of a practice, idea, or phenomenon. For example: "As far back as the Roman Empire, aqueducts were used to transport water."

Common error

Avoid using "as far back" when referring to future events. It's designed to indicate a past point in time, not a future one. Example of incorrect usage: "As far back as next year, we will see changes." Instead, use "starting next year" or "from next year."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as far back" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a point or period in the past. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English. It helps to provide temporal context by specifying how far into the past something extends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as far back" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to indicate a point or period in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase found across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While it's suitable for neutral register, avoid misusing it for future events. Consider using alternatives like ""dating back to"" or "in the distant past" for variety. When using "as far back", ensure you are clearly referencing a past event or time frame to provide context and historical perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dating back to

Focuses on the time of origin or creation.

since way back

Implies a long duration and informal tone.

from years ago

Emphasizes the elapsed time.

in the distant past

Highlights remoteness in time.

in earlier times

A more general expression for previous periods.

historically

Connects to historical events or periods.

in retrospect

Focuses on reviewing past events.

looking back

Highlights reflection on past events.

previously

Indicates something that happened before.

in ancient times

Refers specifically to very old times.

FAQs

How can I use "as far back" in a sentence?

Use "as far back" to refer to a time in the past. For example, "The tradition dates "dating back to" the 18th century" or "Since way back I can remember loving ice cream".

What does "as far back" mean?

The phrase "as far back" is used to indicate a point in time that is distant in the past. It's used to emphasize how long ago something occurred or existed.

What are some alternatives to "as far back"?

Some alternatives to "as far back" include phrases like ""dating back to"", "since way back", or "in the distant past". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "as far back as when"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "as far back as when" can be redundant. It's often more concise and clear to simply use "as far back as" followed by a specific time or event.