far from being perfect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'far from being perfect' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is not as good as it could be. For example: "Her test scores were far from being perfect, but she still managed to pass the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The District has fused with my idea of perfection, but it was far from being perfect.

Huffington Post

Abbott is far from being perfect.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ANSF are far from being perfect, but that was never the goal.

The Guardian - Opinion

While far from being perfect, it always seemed to be miles ahead of Germany in its acceptance of people from all around the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a poem, it's very far from being perfect: the need to maintain the structure forces Empson into some contrived rhymes ("rills" and "shrills", in particular, feel awkward) and the inversion of noun and verb in the first line jars unpleasantly, but the creeping ominousness of the "poison" and the potent sense of dread conjured by the repetition of "the waste remains" are, I think, irresistible.

The Guardian - Books

But they are far from being perfect.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

One team whose weekend was far from perfect was McLaren.

The Guardian - Sport

I am far from perfect, and 500 is far from perfect.

TechCrunch

It's far from perfect, but it is about collectivism.

The Guardian

They're far from perfect but so is society.

Huffington Post

Capitalism is far from perfect; no system is.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far from being perfect", follow it with specific examples or explanations of the imperfections to add clarity and avoid vague criticism. For example, "The design is far from being perfect; the user interface is cluttered and unintuitive."

Common error

Avoid using "far from being perfect" in situations where a more constructive or encouraging tone is needed. Instead of bluntly stating something is imperfect, offer specific suggestions for improvement or acknowledge its positive aspects first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from being perfect" functions as an evaluative adjective phrase, used to express that something has significant flaws or shortcomings. Ludwig examples show its use in describing various subjects, from political systems to technological advancements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far from being perfect" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey that something is significantly flawed or not ideal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, it is best practice to provide specific examples of the imperfections and avoid overuse in contexts requiring a more encouraging tone. Alternatives like "imperfect" or "flawed" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imperfect

A direct synonym emphasizing the lack of perfection.

flawed

A straightforward adjective to describe something with imperfections.

not without flaws

Highlights the existence of flaws, softening the criticism compared to "far from being perfect".

having shortcomings

Focuses on the presence of deficiencies or limitations.

less than ideal

Indicates that the situation or object is not optimal, a more neutral assessment.

leaving something to be desired

Expresses that there is room for improvement, implying a need for further enhancements.

not up to par

Suggests that something doesn't meet the expected standard or level of quality.

suboptimal

A more formal term suggesting that something is not the best possible option.

not quite right

Indicates something is amiss or slightly off, a subtle way of pointing out imperfection.

fallible

Emphasizes the capacity to make mistakes or be wrong.

FAQs

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

Use "far from being perfect" to indicate that something has significant flaws or is not as good as it could be. For example, "The initial plan was "far from being perfect", but we improved it through several revisions."

What are some alternatives to "far from being perfect"?

You can use alternatives like "imperfect", "flawed", or "less than ideal" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it too negative to say something is "far from being perfect"?

It can be, especially if you don't provide context or suggestions for improvement. To soften the criticism, follow it with specific details about what is lacking or what could be improved.

What is the difference between ""far from being perfect"" and "not perfect"?

"Far from being perfect" suggests a greater degree of imperfection or a more significant departure from the ideal than simply saying "not perfect". The former emphasizes the substantial gap between the current state and perfection.