but far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but far" is not a complete or standard expression in written English and may require additional context to be clear.
It can be used in comparative contexts where you want to indicate a significant difference or distance, but it typically needs to be part of a larger phrase. Example: "The project is interesting, but far from perfect."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yes, but far more optimistic.

Huffington Post

Loud, but far away.

The New Yorker

But far more useful.

The Economist

But far from it.

The New York Times - Sports

Clever, but far from ferocious.

The New York Times - Arts

That is fine but far from uncommon.

The New York Times

But far more attention is needed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But far-right commentator is her profession.

HuffPost

But only so far.

Forbes

"But so far, nothing.

The New Yorker

But so far, no.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but far", ensure that it is followed by a comparative adjective or adverb (e.g., "but far more", "but far less"). This provides the necessary context for the phrase to be grammatically sound and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "but far" in isolation without a comparative element. For example, instead of saying "The solution is acceptable, but far", specify what it is far from: "The solution is acceptable, but far from ideal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but far" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase used to introduce a clause that contrasts with or qualifies a previous statement. Ludwig indicates that this phrase typically appears as part of a larger construction emphasizing degree or difference, like "but far more" or "but far from".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but far" is used to introduce a contrast or qualification, typically emphasizing a significant difference. While not grammatically complete on its own, it is widely used in reputable sources, as confirmed by Ludwig. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, it should always be followed by a comparative element, such as "more", "less", or "from". While versatile, "but far" maintains a neutral register, suitable for both academic and news contexts. Remember to avoid using it in isolation and to always specify what something is "far" from to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but a long way from

Emphasizes that something is not yet close to a desired state or goal.

but significantly apart

Highlights a notable difference or separation between two things.

although markedly different

Stresses the noticeable contrast or dissimilarity.

however distant

Replaces "far" with a synonym emphasizing physical or metaphorical distance.

yet distinctly separate

Highlights the clear difference or division between two things.

yet remote

Similar to 'however distant' but uses 'remote' to highlight inaccessibility or separation.

while considerably beyond

Suggests that something goes much further or is of a higher degree.

though still a ways off

Indicates that something is not yet complete or achieved, using a more informal tone.

even so, quite a distance

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difference or separation.

notwithstanding its reach

Indicates that despite progress or influence, there are still limitations.

FAQs

How can I use "but far" in a sentence?

The phrase "but far" is typically used to introduce a contrast or qualification, often emphasizing a significant difference. For example, "The initial attempt was good, "but far from perfect"".

What's the difference between "but far" and "but much"?

"But far" emphasizes distance or degree of separation, while "but much" simply indicates a greater quantity or extent. You might say, "The movie was entertaining, "but far from realistic"" to highlight the lack of realism, or "The second option is preferable, "but much more expensive"" to point out the higher cost.

Is it correct to use "but far" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "but far" is not common and can sound awkward. It is generally better to use "but far" within a clause to connect contrasting ideas. For example, it's better to write "The plan was ambitious, "but far too risky"" instead of "But far too risky, the plan was ambitious".

What are some alternatives to using "but far"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "however distant", "yet remote", or "but a long way from" to convey a similar meaning. These alternatives can help add variety and clarity to your writing.