came so far

USAGE SUMMARY

"came so far" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to point to a person's journey or progress. For example, "It took a lot of hard work to get here, but he has come so far."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But he could never quite understand why so many people came so far to ride waves.

The New York Times - Sports

'I came so far to get here," said Ms. Dorvil, who lives in Canarsie.

The New York Times

Herkimer said: "I'm amazed cheerleading came so far, so I don't know where it could go from here.

The New York Times - Sports

Morocco came so far behind partly because Fifa's nations under Infantino awarded themselves an expansion of the 2026 World Cup, from 32 to 48 teams.

The Guardian - Sport

That her titles at Roland Garros came so far apart, or that the second came at an age when many players contemplate retirement, is a testament not only to her abundant talent but also to her remarkable will.

The New York Times - Sports

Came So Far For Beauty (An Evening of Leonard Cohen Songs), Brighton Dome If 'Laughing Lenny' is really the patron saint of misery, could someone please tell me how come 2,000 happy punters, an ecstatic smile on every face, rose in a spontaneous standing ovation after hearing three hours of his songs in a hedonist haven by the sea.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

You've come so far.

The New York Times

We've come so far.

The New Yorker

Women have come so far.

The New York Times

"China has come so far so fast.

The New York Times

Still, he's come so far.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came so far" to emphasize the amount of effort, time, or distance someone or something has overcome to reach their current state.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "came so far" can sometimes sound informal. In highly formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "progressed significantly" or "advanced considerably" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came so far" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of a journey or significant progress. This is evident from Ludwig's examples, where it describes both physical travel and metaphorical advancement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "came so far" is a commonly used phrase to denote substantial progress or significant travel. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in contexts ranging from news and media to science. While versatile, it is generally considered neutral in formality, suggesting that more sophisticated alternatives might be preferred for formal writing. When using "came so far", consider the context and whether the nuance of effort and distance is appropriate to convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressed significantly

Focuses on the extent of advancement made.

advanced considerably

Highlights the degree of forward movement.

made great strides

Emphasizes the substantial steps taken toward a goal.

reached this point

Indicates the attainment of a specific stage or destination.

achieved much progress

Stresses the accomplishment of development.

traveled a great distance

Focuses on the extent of physical or metaphorical travel.

journeyed this far

Highlights the experience of traveling up to the present.

attained such heights

Indicates the achievement of high levels of success or status.

evolved significantly

Emphasizes the transformational aspect of progress.

improved immensely

Highlights the substantial enhancement in condition or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "came so far" in a sentence?

You can use "came so far" to describe the progress someone or something has made. For example, "Despite the challenges, she "came so far" in her career."

What's a more formal alternative to "came so far"?

In formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives such as "progressed significantly" or "advanced considerably" over ""came so far"".

Is it correct to say "come so far" or "came so far"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "came so far" for past events and "come so far" when speaking about something that extends to the present.

What does it mean when someone says they "came so far"?

It generally means they have made significant progress or traveled a considerable distance, often implying effort and overcoming obstacles to come so far.