far earlier than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far earlier than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two points in time, indicating that one event occurred significantly before another. Example: "The discovery of the ancient ruins was made far earlier than the historians had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Beijing's interests there have historical roots which reach back far earlier than 1950.

The Economist

FAR earlier than many, Rupert Murdoch sensed that China might be a unique financial prize.

The Economist

But the most responsible states began tackling the problem far earlier than Governor Pataki.

The New York Times

The great goalie showdown ended far earlier than expected Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

The New York Times - Sports

It's 7am, far earlier than I would normally deign to rise on holiday.

The Guardian - Travel

In Europe and Japan, cellular telephones became popular far earlier than in the United States.

The New York Times

The president should have brought the leaders to the White House far earlier than he did".

The Guardian

(The president-elect visited on Saturday afternoon, far earlier than the usual U Street revelers).

The New York Times

Nancy realised far earlier than most that he was in serious danger of impeachment.

The Guardian

Most networks have begun production on many scripted series far earlier than normal this summer.

The New York Times - Arts

First, the storm could hit Southern New Jersey far earlier than planned.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far earlier than", ensure that the comparison is clear and that the time difference is significant. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing a notable contrast in timing.

Common error

Avoid using "far earlier than" when a simpler word like "earlier" suffices. Overusing "far" can make your writing sound unnecessarily emphatic or dramatic in contexts where the time difference is not particularly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far earlier than" functions as an adverbial phrase of comparison, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an action or event relative to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far earlier than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize a significant time difference between two events. As Ludwig AI points out, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and scientific writing. While versatile, remember to use it judiciously, ensuring that the "far" is warranted to avoid unnecessary emphasis. Alternatives include "much sooner than" or "significantly earlier than", offering options for different levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much sooner than

Replaces "far earlier" with "much sooner", emphasizing the temporal difference with a slightly less formal tone.

significantly earlier than

Substitutes "far" with "significantly", providing a more formal and emphatic alternative.

considerably earlier than

Replaces "far" with "considerably", suggesting a notable difference in time.

well before

Offers a more concise way of expressing that something occurred a good while before a certain time.

long before

Implies a substantial period of time passed before the reference point.

noticeably earlier than

Highlights that the temporal difference is easily observed or noticeable.

appreciably earlier than

Suggests the time difference is large enough to be important or have an impact.

a good deal earlier than

A more verbose, but still accurate, alternative to "far earlier than".

substantially earlier than

Similar to 'significantly earlier than' but emphasizes the extent of the difference.

distinctly earlier than

Emphasizes the clarity and unambiguity of the temporal difference.

FAQs

How can I use "far earlier than" in a sentence?

Use "far earlier than" to indicate that something happened significantly before another event or point in time. For example, "The treaty was signed "far earlier than" we anticipated."

What is a good alternative to "far earlier than"?

Alternatives include "much sooner than", "significantly earlier than", or "well before". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is "far earlier than" more formal than "much earlier than"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "significantly earlier than" tends to be slightly more formal than "far earlier than" or "much earlier than". The choice depends on the tone you wish to convey.

When should I avoid using "far earlier than"?

Avoid using "far earlier than" if the time difference isn't substantial or important. In such cases, simply using "earlier than" might be more appropriate and less verbose.