came too far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came too far" is not correct in standard English; it should be "come too far." You can use it when discussing progress or distance traveled, often in a metaphorical sense, indicating that someone has made significant advancements or changes.
Example: "After all the challenges we've faced, I believe we've come too far to turn back now."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

Style

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They came too far, worked too hard, he told them, to lose the one game that really mattered.

The New York Times - Sports

I came too far for you to turn away from me," she said, pulling him close.

The New York Times

"I came too far over to his side, and we collided," Jonsson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Forest did, however, aptly point out that the start was "slightly inside," that the club came too far back on the backswing (Frame 5) and that a better overall pivot was needed.

The New York Times - Style

Because fresh affidavits by the three experts withdrawing their initial opinions came too far along in the legal process to be considered in Hill's newest challenge.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We've come too far".

The New York Times

He had come too far, proved too much already.

The New York Times - Sports

So have the homebuilder stocks come too far, too fast?

The New York Times

We had come too far to miss the ceremony.

The New York Times

But I had come too far to quit.

The New York Times

And we've come too far to turn back now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the point of no return in a process or journey, consider using stronger, more grammatically correct alternatives like "gone too far" or "advanced too much" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "came too far" when the intended meaning requires a present perfect tense. Opt for "come too far" to accurately express that progress has been made up to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came too far" functions as part of a clause, typically expressing the idea that a point of no return has been reached. However, as Ludwig indicates, the correct form is "come too far".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Style

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "came too far" might be intuitively used to express progress made, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig suggests the correct form is "come too far", utilizing the present perfect tense to indicate that the progress extends to the present moment. The phrase, or its corrected version, is commonly found in News & Media contexts and serves to convey commitment or resistance to abandoning a path. Consider alternatives like "gone too far" depending on the nuance you wish to express. Using the present perfect form ensures grammatical accuracy and effectively communicates the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gone too far

This alternative focuses on exceeding a limit or boundary, often in terms of actions or behavior.

advanced too much

This highlights the extent of progress made, implying it might be excessive or premature.

progressed excessively

Similar to "advanced too much", but emphasizes gradual development over time.

reached this point

Focuses on arrival at a specific stage, suggesting a culmination of effort.

gotten this far

An informal way of expressing having made significant progress in a journey or endeavor.

achieved so much

Emphasizes accomplishments and successes, implying a substantial amount has been gained.

invested too heavily

Highlights the resources committed, suggesting a point of no return.

become irreversible

Focuses on the inability to reverse a course of action due to significant advancement.

passed the point of no return

A more dramatic way of indicating a stage where reversal is impossible.

reached a critical juncture

Highlights the importance of a current stage in a process or journey.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "come too far" in a sentence?

Use "come too far" (present perfect) to indicate progress made up to the present. For example, "We have come too far to give up now."

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "came too far"?

Consider using phrases like "gone too far", "advanced too much", or "progressed excessively" depending on the context.

In what situations is "come too far" most appropriately used?

"Come too far" is used when you want to express that significant progress has been made, and turning back is no longer a viable option.

What is the difference between "come too far" and "gone too far"?

"Come too far" implies substantial progress, while "gone too far" suggests exceeding a boundary or limit, often in terms of behavior or actions.