go far back

USAGE SUMMARY

'go far back' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation that is very old or has been present since a very long time ago. For example: 'The roots of this conflict go far back.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Efforts to control agricultural prices go far back in English history, although the early objectives were quite different from those of more recent times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Much of his computer music is based on speech and everyday sounds, and his roots in the acoustic world go far back.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is clear that with frozen material one can go far back in time, approaching a million years," he said, but the challenge now was to retrieve ancient genomes from temperate zones, where important fossil bones are more plentiful.

The New York Times - Science

The day during which the novel's main action takes place, the day of the autoclaps, is April 11 , 1982 but the roots of what happens on that day go far back.

The New Yorker

This is the last question, and we're going to go far back.

Forbes

The focus here will be on certain problems in the identification of the contextual features which finally provided the impetus for the application of the paradigmatic description to their study: I will argue that the roots of these problems go far back into the history of contextual description.

Functional Linguistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Right, and this problem goes far back if you think about Ulysses and the lotus eaters.

The New York Times

Telling the story of Mr. Hinman and the apartment means going far back in time.

The New York Times

The political charge attached to Beethoven's monumental achievement went far back.

The New Yorker

Going far back in history helps Nancy get to this thing, which is why she so concerned with Iranian identity.

The Guardian

The relationship goes far back and there is both a lot of love and a lot of love lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go far back" when you want to emphasize the considerable length of time that something has existed or been relevant. It is especially useful to set the stage or explain origins.

Common error

While both phrases are similar, "go far back" typically refers to a more abstract or conceptual distance in time. Avoid using "go back far" when emphasizing the historical roots or deep origins of something; "go far back" is usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go far back" functions as a verb phrase indicating the temporal depth or historical reach of a subject. It implies that the subject's origins or relevance extend significantly into the past. The phrase is used to provide context and underscore the longevity of something. Ludwig examples illustrate this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go far back" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something has origins or relevance in the distant past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it provides a valuable way to emphasize the historical depth of a topic, setting the stage for a more comprehensive understanding. Alternative phrases such as "date back a long time" or "have a long history" can be used for similar effect, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

date back a long time

This alternative uses "date back" to indicate origin in the past, specifying a long duration.

have a long history

This phrase emphasizes the extensive duration and evolution of something over time.

originate in the distant past

This alternative highlights the point of origin and places it in the remote past.

have roots in antiquity

This option uses "antiquity" to denote the ancient past, suggesting a classical or historical origin.

stem from ancient times

This alternative uses "stem from" to imply causation or derivation from an earlier era.

trace back to ancient origins

This phrase directly highlights tracing the ancestry of something to the ancient world.

descend from early periods

This describes a line of descent or inheritance from a past era.

be of old extraction

This suggests that something has been obtained or derived from earlier times.

arise from bygone eras

This implies something emerges or originates from a time that has passed.

extend far into the past

This alternative focuses on the temporal extension into previous times.

FAQs

How can I use "go far back" in a sentence?

You can use "go far back" to indicate that something has existed or has relevance since a long time ago. For example, "The history of this tradition "goes far back" to the 18th century".

What does "go far back" mean?

"Go far back" means that something has origins in the distant past. It's used to emphasize the length of time something has existed or been relevant.

Are there any alternatives to "go far back"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "date back a long time", "have a long history", or "originate in the distant past".

When is it appropriate to use "go far back" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "go far back" when you want to stress the long history or deep roots of a particular event, tradition, or idea. It's helpful for setting context and providing a historical perspective.