even so far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even so far" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used to emphasize a point or to indicate a degree of extent, but it is more common to see "even so" or "so far" used separately. Example: "The project has faced numerous challenges, even so far as to delay the deadline."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

It's even so far.

The Guardian - Sport

That means its holding is about breaking even so far.

The New York Times

He continued on foot, astonished at the scale of destruction even so far downstream.

Yale University

He looked after the welfare of the prisoners, even so far as to risk getting punished by his superiors.

University of California, Berkeley

Surrey are 50-2 in the 20th over with honours even so far.

The Guardian - Sport

But we rightly don't trust ourselves this far — or even so far as to make frequent use of national referendums.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

It's early days yet, and she has not reached break-even so far.

The Guardian - Money

My highlight of the evening so far.

The Guardian

Best move of any game all evening so far was France-Tonga for the fisticuffs.

The Guardian - Sport

Then came a standard, "I See Your Face Before Me," which Mr. Rollins overlaid with a sturdy and logical solo, the best of the evening so far.

The New York Times - Arts

That sums up their evening so far.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even so far" to emphasize the degree to which something has progressed or a limit has been reached, particularly when you want to show surprise or highlight an unexpected extent. For example: "The company went even so far as to offer employees unlimited vacation time."

Common error

Avoid using "even so far" excessively in formal writing. While acceptable, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "to such an extent" or "thus far". Choose more formal options for professional documents and academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even so far" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent or degree to which something is true. As indicated by Ludwig, it highlights the surprising or notable aspect of an action or situation. It often introduces a detail that exemplifies how advanced or extreme something has become.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even so far" is an adverbial phrase used to emphasize the degree or extent of something. While Ludwig indicates that "even so far" is acceptable, particularly in news and media, it might be considered less formal compared to alternatives like "to such an extent" or "thus far". Remember to use it to highlight surprising or notable aspects of a situation and consider the formality of your writing when choosing between "even so far" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to such an extent

Emphasizes the degree to which something has progressed; more formal.

thus far

Similar in meaning, indicating progress up to the present; slightly more formal.

up to this point

Focuses on the progress made until now; more neutral.

to that degree

Highlights the level or intensity reached; more direct.

to this stage

Indicates a particular point in a process; more process-oriented.

to this level

Indicates the stage or position reached; more specific.

so far as this goes

Adds a sense of limitation or qualification; more nuanced.

as things stand

Focuses on the current state of affairs; more conversational.

reaching this far

Highlights the distance or scope achieved; more metaphorical.

until now

Simple expression of time up to the present; less emphasis on extent.

FAQs

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

You can use "even so far" to emphasize the extent to which something has happened or progressed. For example: "The renovations were extensive, "even so far" as to require the building to be temporarily closed."

What are some alternatives to "even so far"?

Alternatives to "even so far" include "to such an extent", "up to this point", or "thus far". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality required.

Is it correct to say "even so far as"?

Yes, "even so far as" is a common construction. It is often used to introduce a specific example or detail that illustrates the extent of something. For example: "He went "even so far as" to apologize publicly for his mistake."

What's the difference between "even so" and "even so far"?

"Even so" indicates a contrast or concession, similar to "nevertheless" or "however". "Even so far", on the other hand, emphasizes the degree or extent to which something has happened. They serve different functions in a sentence.