but far from

USAGE SUMMARY

"but far from" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to introduce a contrast between two ideas. Example: The movie was popular, but far from a success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

Not horrible but far from earth-shaking.

The New York Times - Tech

True, but far from new.

The New York Times - Books

But far from the corner.

The Guardian - Sport

Entirely natural – but far from the truth.

The Guardian

This is rarer, but far from unknown.

The Guardian

IT was better but far from ideal.

The New York Times

It's basic stuff, but far from simple.

The New York Times - Science

The location is attractive but far from the city center.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but far from" to create a smooth transition when presenting a contrasting idea that directly opposes a previous statement. This helps maintain clarity and prevent abrupt shifts in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but far from" when a simple "but" suffices. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing a significant divergence or unexpected outcome, not for minor contrasting points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but far from" functions as a conjunction phrase that introduces a strong contrast or negation. It typically follows an initial statement and sets up an unexpected or opposite outcome, as evidenced by the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but far from" is a grammatically correct and very common conjunction phrase used to introduce a strong contrast, typically in News & Media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to emphasize a significant deviation from what might be expected. When using this phrase, ensure it introduces a genuinely surprising or contrasting element, avoiding overuse in simple contrasts. Alternatives include "yet not at all" and "however not close to", offering nuanced ways to express similar ideas. By being mindful of its function and impact, you can effectively leverage "but far from" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but actually the opposite

Emphasizes a direct contradiction to what might be expected.

yet not at all

Emphasizes a complete divergence from the initial expectation.

rather than being

Introduces an alternative that contrasts with the initial idea.

instead of being

Similar to 'rather than being', it presents a contrasting alternative.

however not close to

Highlights a significant distance or difference from a reference point.

though not remotely

Stresses the lack of any similarity or connection.

while not exactly

Indicates an approximation, but not a precise match.

even if not near

Suggests that proximity is not achieved despite certain conditions.

despite not being close

Highlights the lack of closeness despite a preceding statement.

although not in the vicinity

Formally specifies that something is outside a defined area or range.

FAQs

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

Use "but far from" to introduce a contrasting idea that strongly differs from what was previously mentioned. For example, "The task seemed easy, but far from it, it proved to be quite challenging".

What are some alternatives to "but far from"?

You can use alternatives like "yet not at all", "however not close to", or "although not in the vicinity" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "but far from" or simply "but"?

"But far from" is stronger and more emphatic than a simple "but". Use "but far from" when you want to highlight a significant contrast or unexpected situation. If the contrast is minor, "but" is sufficient.

What's the difference between "but far from" and "however"?

"However" introduces a contrast, while "but far from" emphasizes that something is the opposite of what was expected. "However" is a general contrasting term, while "but far from" is more specific and impactful.