far above

USAGE SUMMARY

"far above" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is exceptionally higher in quality, status, or importance than something else. For example, "The quality of his work was far above the rest of the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nearly everything sampled was far above par.

The New York Times

Here operational speed is extremely high (far above GHz).

Optical Switching and Networking

"But Heidy goes far above and beyond," said Haslanger.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(Far above: the planned height is two thousand feet).

The New Yorker

[MUSIC - "FAR ABOVE CAYUGA'S WATERS"] (SINGING) Far above Cayuga's waters, with its waves of blue, stands our noble alma mater, glorious to view.

Cornell University

As campaign director, he oversaw the public launch of Cornell's "Far Above …" campaign in October 2007.

Cornell University

How far above?

BBC

Far above the world.

The Guardian

Not far above the ground.

Cornell University

Things far above the ordinary level!

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She had risen far above her humble upbringing in Mexico.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far above" to emphasize a significant difference or superiority. It adds impact when comparing levels, qualities, or positions.

Common error

Avoid using "far above" when a simple "above" or "higher than" would suffice. Overusing it can dilute its emphasis in situations that don't warrant strong differentiation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far above" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to intensify the meaning of being at a higher level or position. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and "typically used to describe something that is exceptionally higher in quality, status, or importance than something else."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far above" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize that something is significantly higher, superior, or beyond a certain standard. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. It's commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, highlighting its broad applicability. When writing, use "far above" to add emphasis when making comparisons, but avoid overuse in simple comparisons where a less emphatic term would suffice. Alternatives include phrases like "well above" and "significantly exceeding", providing options to tailor your language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well above

Indicates a level that is significantly higher, often used in quantitative contexts.

considerably higher than

Emphasizes a notable difference in degree or amount.

significantly exceeding

Highlights that something surpasses a specific limit or standard by a substantial margin.

substantially greater than

Focuses on the considerable magnitude of the difference.

vastly superior to

Suggests an immense difference in quality or ability.

markedly higher than

Implies that the difference is easily noticeable or distinct.

appreciably above

Indicates a difference that is sufficient to be recognized or valued.

infinitely above

Emphasizes an immeasurable and absolute superiority.

noticeably exceeding

Highlights that surpassing is very clear and evident.

far surpassing

Indicates a very large difference.

FAQs

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

Use "far above" to indicate a significant difference in level, quality, or position. For example, "Her test score was "well above" the average."

What are some alternatives to "far above"?

Alternatives include "well above", "considerably higher than", or "significantly exceeding depending" on the context.

Is it better to say "above" or "far above"?

"Far above" emphasizes a greater difference than simply "above". Use "far above" when you want to highlight a substantial superiority or distinction.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "far above"?

Avoid using "far above" in situations where the difference is minimal or insignificant. In such cases, "above" or "slightly higher than" would be more appropriate.