came this far

USAGE SUMMARY

"came this far" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate progress or accomplishment, especially when describing a journey or overcoming obstacles. Example: "Despite facing many challenges, she never gave up and came this far in her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I came this far.

The New York Times - Sports

"We came this far — we'll wait," the gangster said.

The New Yorker

"It never came this far," said Mr. Buck, a 21-year-old college student.

The New York Times

He knew she sometimes ventured into town but did not think she came this far.

The Washington Post

Another thrown racket, he writes, came "this far from nailing someone in the head".

The Guardian - Books

"I'm sure the Vikings came this far south," he said as he approached the Throgs Neck Bridge in his 75-foot ship, the Islendingur ("Icelander").

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

We've come this far.

The New Yorker

"We've come this far," he said.

The New York Times

He's come this far, after all.

The Washington Post

But Burress had come this far.

The New York Times - Sports

Come this far, no more aggravation".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came this far" to underscore the significance of past efforts and encourage continued commitment to a goal. It's particularly effective when addressing a team or individual facing potential setbacks.

Common error

Avoid using "came this far" when you want to indicate how much needs to be done, instead of how much has already been accomplished. Focus on future steps rather than past efforts in this case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came this far" primarily functions as a retrospective assessment of progress or achievement. It emphasizes the distance traveled, both literally and figuratively, and often serves as a motivational point, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came this far" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize past progress and motivate future effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a retrospective assessment of achievement and serves to highlight past efforts and encourage continued commitment. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, from news reporting to everyday conversation. When using the phrase, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, and be mindful of potential misinterpretations regarding the balance between past accomplishments and future objectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reached this point

Emphasizes the arrival at a specific stage or juncture in a process or journey.

arrived at this stage

Highlights the culmination of effort or time leading to a particular phase.

progressed to this extent

Focuses on the degree of advancement or development achieved.

advanced this much

Underscores the measure of forward movement or improvement.

gotten to this place

Highlights the destination or position attained after a period of effort.

made it this distance

Emphasizes the length of the journey or effort undertaken to reach the current position.

achieved this level

Focuses on the standard or rank attained through effort or skill.

attained this position

Highlights the status or rank achieved after a period of work or dedication.

persevered to this degree

Stresses the element of persistence and resilience in reaching the current state.

endured until now

Emphasizes the challenges and difficulties overcome to reach the present moment.

FAQs

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

Use "came this far" to emphasize progress made and encourage continued effort. For example, "We've "come this far", we can't give up now".

What is a good alternative to "came this far"?

Alternatives include "reached this point", "progressed to this extent", or "made it this distance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "come this far" or "came this far"?

"Came this far" is generally more appropriate when referring to a completed action or past achievement. "Come this far" might be used in a conditional context, implying a future possibility.

What does "came this far for nothing" imply?

"Came this far for nothing" implies that considerable effort or progress has been made, but the ultimate goal has not been achieved, rendering the prior effort seemingly wasted. For example, "Do we want to be those guys that are home and we "came this far" for nothing?"