far from being

USAGE SUMMARY

"far from being" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is not what is expected or assumed. For example: "The project was far from being a success; it was an unmitigated disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's far from being true.

The New York Times - Sports

It is also far from being understood.

The Economist

This is far from being that serious.

Independent

Far from being horrified, she is aroused.

The New Yorker

But Bosnia is far from being united.

The Economist

"He is far from being a materialist".

The New York Times

It is still far from being that.

The Economist

He is far from being a radical.

Independent

Far from being silenced, they were singing.

The New Yorker

Anxiety, far from being reduced, increases.

The New York Times - Magazine

Our task is far from being complete.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far from being" to introduce a contrasting or unexpected aspect of a subject, adding depth and nuance to your writing. It's particularly effective when you want to correct a common misconception or challenge a prevailing assumption.

Common error

Avoid using "far from being" when a simple negation would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious. For instance, instead of "The situation is far from being ideal", you can simply say "The situation is not ideal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from being" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrast or contradiction to a preceding statement or assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It serves to emphasize that something is not what it appears to be or what is expected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far from being" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast or challenge an assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news media and scientific writing. When writing, use "far from being" to add depth and nuance, but avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "anything but" or "quite the opposite of" can provide similar effects. The high frequency and diverse sources, from The New York Times to scientific journals, suggest that "far from being" is a reliable and effective way to express contradiction and unexpected qualities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite the opposite of

Highlights a complete reversal of expectation.

on the contrary

Introduces a statement that contradicts a previous one.

by no means

Expresses a strong negation or denial.

anything but

Emphasizes the opposite quality or state more directly.

not at all

Signifies a complete lack of something.

a far cry from

Implies a considerable difference or deviation from a standard.

nowhere near

Indicates a significant distance from a particular state or condition.

distinct from

Highlights the unique and different nature of something.

not in the least

Signifies a complete absence of a particular quality or feeling.

rather than

Indicates a preference or alternative to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "far from being" in a sentence?

Use "far from being" to indicate that something is the opposite of what might be expected. For example, "The task was "far from being easy"; it was incredibly challenging."

What are some alternatives to "far from being"?

You can use alternatives such as "anything but", "quite the opposite of", or "nowhere near" depending on the context.

Is it more formal or informal to use "far from being"?

The phrase "far from being" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in written English and professional settings. Using simpler negations might be more appropriate for very casual conversations.

What's the difference between "far from being" and "not being"?

"Far from being" implies a greater degree of contrast or surprise than "not being". "Not being" is a simple negation, while "far from being" suggests that something is significantly different from what was expected. The expression "distinct from" can also express the same meaning.