going back far enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going back far enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing historical events, timelines, or the origins of a topic, indicating a need to consider earlier points in time. Example: "If we are going back far enough, we should consider the founding principles of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It depends on the individual case and whether that person, or their doctor, has records going back far enough".

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Alas, I think that he may not have gone back far enough.

The New York Times

He said everybody's from Brooklyn if you go back far enough".

The New York Times

Go back far enough in history and a simple "rule of thumb" governed investment decisions in difficult times.

Independent

So we went back far enough and we were like, 95?

The Guardian - Tech

This insightful look at actors and their influence on the election of President Obama does not go back far enough.

The New York Times

She mentions Joan Rivers and reminds me that her memory goes back far enough to remember a time before Netflix.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If you go back far enough, human beings aren't native to any part of the world except Africa.

The Guardian - Books

If you go back far enough, there some truly astonishing stories involving the likes of Moifaa, Flyingbolt and Aldaniti.

The Guardian - Sport

Go back far enough, and you'll find out most Iranian families are blue-blooded, she says.

The Guardian - Film

But go back far enough and all of us can trace our ancestry to the other side of the water.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "going back far enough", ensure that the context clearly indicates what period or aspect you are referring to. This avoids ambiguity and provides a clearer understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "going back far enough" without specifying the time frame or event. For example, instead of saying "If we are "going back far enough", we should consider...", be specific: "If we examine the pre-industrial era, we should consider...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going back far enough" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent to which one needs to consider the past. It suggests a degree or point in time that must be reached for a particular purpose, mirroring usage in Ludwig where it's used to contextualize events or origins.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going back far enough" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that emphasizes the importance of considering a more distant past to fully understand a present situation. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial modifier, typically found in neutral registers across News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While there is only one exact match, Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and suggests that alternatives such as "looking back far enough" or "tracing back sufficiently" can be used to convey a similar meaning. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide clear context to avoid vagueness and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking far enough back

Reorders the phrase and uses "looking" instead of "going", slightly shifting the emphasis.

reaching back far enough

Substitutes "going" with "reaching", implying a similar action of extending back in time.

tracing back sufficiently

Replaces "going back" with "tracing back" and "far enough" with "sufficiently", indicating an adequate extent of tracing.

investigating the distant past

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the idea of examining events in the past.

delving into ancient history

Replaces the original phrase with a more specific reference to "ancient history".

considering historical roots

Focuses on the "roots" or origins, suggesting a review of the historical basis.

exploring the earlier period

Shifts the focus to "exploring" a previous time, rather than simply going back.

reviewing the historical backdrop

Emphasizes the review of the historical context or background.

examining past events

Simplifies the concept to a direct examination of events that have already occurred.

analyzing prior occurrences

Replaces the directional "going back" with a more analytical term "analyzing".

FAQs

How can I use "going back far enough" in a sentence?

You can use "going back far enough" to indicate a need to consider earlier points in time when discussing historical events, timelines, or the origins of a topic. For instance, "If we are "going back far enough", we should consider the founding principles of the organization."

What are some alternatives to "going back far enough"?

Alternatives include "looking far enough back", "reaching back far enough", or "tracing back sufficiently", each offering slight variations in emphasis.

Is there a difference between "going back far enough" and "looking back far enough"?

While both phrases are similar, "going back far enough" implies a more active process of tracing origins, whereas "looking back far enough" suggests a more passive observation of past events.

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

It is appropriate to use "going back far enough" when you want to emphasize the importance of considering a more distant past to understand the present situation or to provide a complete historical context.