first and far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first and far" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete or incorrect expression, and without context, it is difficult to determine its intended use. Example: "First and far from the truth, we need to address the real issues at hand."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The first, and far more serious, of the flaws has to do with the Bank's ill-conceived financial structure.In essence, the Bank is a "hedge fund with a heart".

The Economist

"Widowers' Houses," Shaw's first (and far from best) play, follows a young innocent, Dr. Harry Trench James Wallertt), who discovers to his surprise that the father of his wife-to-be, Blanche Sartorius Rachael Holmess), earned his fortune as an exploitative landlord.

The New York Times

As the maximal throat radius becomes larger, relative permeability changes far slower at first and far faster when water saturation is high.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Not the first and far from the last fundraising event for the 2012 Obama campaign, this one includes alcohol and singing.

Huffington Post

It is less important which came first, and far more miraculous and relevant that a chicken and an egg go together, that they are linked.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's a bit like hearing the news of sex — which also sounds pretty improbable at first, and far-off.

The New Yorker

Second, and far more crucial, the interviews reach important audiences.

The New York Times

Let me propose a sixth, and far more likely, hellish scenario.

The New York Times

Alarmingly, we face a third, and far more widespread, ailment that has gotten little attention: call it "contagion exhaustion".

The New York Times

The second, and far more credible, explanation agrees that it was indeed lower interest rates that spawned the speculative euphoria.

The Economist

Second, and far more important, to find alternatives based on sharing good practice rooted in trust, professionalism and collegiality.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "first and far" with more conventional alternatives like "first and foremost" or "first and most importantly" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "first and far" in formal writing. The phrase lacks established grammatical correctness and can confuse readers. Opt for clearer, more recognized expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first and far" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to connect two elements. However, its unconventional nature often results in ambiguity. Ludwig AI flags it as potentially incorrect, suggesting that it does not convey a clear meaning in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first and far" is flagged by Ludwig AI as a potentially incorrect and unclear expression in English. While it appears in some sources, its usage is inconsistent, and it lacks a defined grammatical function. More established phrases like "first and foremost" or "first and most importantly" are recommended for clarity and correctness. When writing, avoid using "first and far" to ensure your message is easily understood and grammatically sound. The sources where the expression occurs include "News & Media" and "Science". Despite its presence in these contexts, it's advised to opt for more conventional alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first and foremost

Emphasizes the primary importance of something, replacing "far" with a stronger indicator of significance.

first and by far

Emphasizes something being ahead of everything else by a large margin.

first and most importantly

Highlights the initial position and the crucial nature of a point, offering a more direct expression.

foremost and significantly

Highlights the item of most relevance and its considerable impact.

initially and substantially

Focuses on the beginning and the significant aspect of something, changing the focus from distance to magnitude.

in the first instance and substantially

Highlights that is the very first thing to take into account and its large importance.

first and considerably

Indicates the initial position and noteworthy extent, providing a slightly more formal tone.

to begin and significantly

Highlights the start and the impact of something, changing the structure for emphasis.

primarily and extensively

Stresses the main aspect and the broad scope, diverging slightly in emphasis.

at the beginning and greatly

Focuses on the initial stage and the degree of importance, providing a different perspective.

FAQs

What does "first and far" mean?

The phrase "first and far" is not a standard or commonly recognized expression in English. Its meaning can be unclear without additional context, and it's often seen as an error. More established phrases like "first and foremost" are typically used instead.

Is it correct to use "first and far" in writing?

No, it is generally not correct to use "first and far" in writing. It's advisable to use more conventional and grammatically sound alternatives such as "first and foremost" or "first and most importantly" to ensure clarity and proper communication.

What can I say instead of "first and far"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "first and foremost" to emphasize importance or "initially and substantially" to highlight the beginning and a significant aspect.

Which is correct, "first and far" or "first and foremost"?

"First and foremost" is the correct and widely accepted phrase. "First and far" is not a standard expression and is generally considered incorrect. Always opt for "first and foremost" to convey the intended meaning clearly.