by far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'by far' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extent to which something is true or the degree to which something is the best or worst. For example: He is by far the smartest student in the class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By far.

The New York Times

By far, and by far.

The New York Times

Oh, yeah, by far.

The New Yorker

He failed by far.

The New York Times - Sports

"By far," Jones said.

The New York Times - Sports

Worse by far.

The New York Times - Books

A By far the worst.

The New York Times

Oh definitely Birchfield, by far.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But a majority by far were male.

The New York Times - Arts

By far the fattest turkey of 2012.

Independent

By far the largest import is grain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by far" to clearly emphasize a superlative quality or degree. For example, "This is by far the best solution".

Common error

While "by far" is acceptable in most contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated synonyms like "decidedly" or "unquestionably" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by far" functions as an intensifier, typically modifying a superlative adjective or adverb. It serves to emphasize the degree to which something is the best, worst, or most significant, and confirms with Ludwig AI's analysis and examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by far" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize superlative comparisons. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, predominantly in news, encyclopedias, and wikis. While acceptable in most settings, be mindful of overuse in highly formal writing. Consider synonyms such as "far and away" or "easily" for alternative phrasing. This phrase has a neutral tone, useful to strengthen a comparison or assertion, and it does so by functioning as an intensifier.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far and away

This alternative is a more emphatic synonym, conveying a similar sense of 'easily the best/most'.

by a long shot

This alternative is more informal but also emphasizes the difference in degree or extent.

by a wide margin

This alternative focuses on the size or degree of the difference.

easily

This alternative is more concise and conveys the same meaning in many contexts.

decidedly

This alternative implies a clear and unambiguous difference.

unquestionably

This alternative stresses that there's no doubt about superiority or extent.

incomparably

This alternative suggests that something is so superior it cannot be compared.

hands down

This alternative is an informal expression emphasizing ease and certainty.

markedly

This alternative highlights a noticeable difference or degree.

significantly

This alternative denotes a substantial or considerable difference.

FAQs

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

Use "by far" before a superlative adjective or adverb to emphasize the degree. For instance, "She is "by far the most talented" musician in the orchestra".

What phrases can I use instead of "by far"?

You can use alternatives like "far and away", "by a long shot", or "easily" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "far by" instead of "by far"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "by far". Saying "far by" is not grammatically correct and would sound awkward to native English speakers.

What is the difference between "by far" and "considerably"?

"By far" emphasizes the superlative nature of something, indicating it's the best or worst to a great extent. "Considerably", while also indicating a large degree, doesn't necessarily imply a superlative comparison. For example, "The project improved considerably", versus "This is "by far the best" approach".