far from

USAGE SUMMARY

"far from" is a perfectly correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use it to mean something is the opposite of what was expected, or not true in the way someone initially thought. For example: "I thought the decision would be easy, but it turned out to be far from it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Far from.

The Economist

"That's far from here".

The New Yorker

You're far from home.

Forbes

It's far from perfect".

The New York Times

I'm far from alone.

The New York Times

But far from it.

The New York Times - Sports

Far from civilization.

The New York Times - Books

It's far from clear.

The Economist

"It's far from over.

The New York Times

It's far from misery".

The New Yorker

And far from mellow.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far from" to introduce a contrast or negation, creating emphasis and surprise for the reader. For example, instead of saying 'The task was difficult', you can say 'The task was far from easy', adding a layer of nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "far from" when a simple negation suffices. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural. For instance, saying 'He was far from happy' might be better phrased as 'He was unhappy' in less emphatic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from" functions as a prepositional phrase used adverbially to modify verbs or adjectives, often introducing negation or contrast. Ludwig AI shows how it adds emphasis, indicating that something is not only distant but also contrary to expectation, for instance: "It's far from over."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far from" is a versatile prepositional phrase primarily used to express negation or contrast. It is grammatically correct and very common, especially in News & Media and Science contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a perfectly correct phrase to use in written English, often indicating that something is the opposite of what was expected. While effective, overuse should be avoided to maintain clarity. Alternatives include "not close to" or "nowhere near", offering similar nuanced expressions. Always consider the context to ensure the most impactful use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not close to

Indicates physical or metaphorical distance, similar to "far from".

nowhere near

Emphasizes the great distance or difference, similar to "far from".

a long way from

Specifically highlights the significant distance involved, akin to "far from".

distant from

Formally expresses the state of being separated by a considerable distance, like "far from".

not at all

Indicates complete negation, similar to one usage of "far from".

the opposite of

Highlights a contrasting relationship, similar to how "far from" can negate an expectation.

by no means

Expresses a strong denial or contradiction, similar to the negating sense of "far from".

quite the contrary

Introduces an opposing viewpoint, serving a similar function to "far from" when used to correct a misconception.

removed from

Suggests a detachment or separation, akin to the distancing aspect of "far from".

distinct from

Emphasizes the difference or dissimilarity, resonating with the contrasting sense of "far from".

FAQs

How can I use "far from" in a sentence to show contrast?

You can use "far from" to indicate that something is the opposite of what might be expected. For example, "The situation is "far from ideal", requiring immediate attention."

What are some alternatives to "far from" that I can use in my writing?

Alternatives to "far from" include "not close to", "nowhere near", or "a long way from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "far from perfect"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "far from perfect" is a common and acceptable way to express that something has significant flaws or is not ideal.

What is the difference between "far from" and "distant from"?

While both phrases suggest separation, "far from" often implies a stronger sense of contrast or negation than "distant from". "Far from" can indicate that something is the opposite of what was expected, whereas "distant from" simply indicates physical or metaphorical separation.