has so far

USAGE SUMMARY

'has so far' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular point in time in the past or present, suggesting a continuation of the action or result of the prior activity up to the present. For example, "The project has so far been a success, but the team must continue to work hard to guarantee the final outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It always has—so far.

The Economist

He has so far failed.

Independent

No injury has so far been reported.

Independent

She has so far failed to resurface.

Independent

The lawsuit has so far been unsuccessful.

The New York Times

NotBuyingIt has so far garnered positive reviews.

Independent

Kayani has so far declined the appeals.

The New Yorker

He has so far been successful.

The Economist

China has so far resisted that advice.

The New York Times

Blood-letting has so far been minimal.

The Economist

Xindu has so far escaped such violence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has so far" to clearly indicate that a situation or action is ongoing and its outcome may still change. This is particularly useful in reports, articles, or analyses where the final result is not yet known.

Common error

While "has so far" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "to date" or "thus far" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has so far" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the duration or extent of an action or state up to the present moment. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to a particular point in time, suggesting continuation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has so far" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate the extent or duration of an action or state up to the present moment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it provides an update on situations with an implication of ongoing progress. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives in academic writing. The phrase is useful for adding detail and clarity to your writing by specifying the timeframe over which something has occurred. Remember to avoid overuse in highly formal situations, and use a variety of the provided alternatives for increased style and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so far

A shorter, less emphatic version of the original phrase.

until now

Focuses on the duration leading to the present moment.

up to this point

Emphasizes the progression to the current stage.

thus far

A more formal synonym, indicating progress to the present.

up until now

Slightly more emphatic than "until now", stressing the duration.

to date

Highlights the accumulation of events up to the present calendar date.

as of yet

Indicates that something hasn't happened up to the current time.

heretofore

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "up to this point".

previously

Focuses on what occurred before the current moment.

in the interim

Indicates something that has happened during a specific period of time.

FAQs

How do I use "has so far" in a sentence?

Use "has so far" to indicate that something is true or has been happening up to the present moment, implying that the situation may change in the future. For example, "The project "has so far" been successful, but challenges remain".

What phrases can I use instead of "has so far"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "until now", "up to this point", or "to date" as alternatives to "has so far".

What's the difference between "has so far" and "has thus far"?

"Has thus far" is a more formal synonym of "has so far". Both phrases indicate something that has occurred up to the present, but "has thus far" is better suited for more formal contexts.

Is it correct to say "have so far" instead of "has so far"?

The auxiliary verb depends on the subject. Use "have so far" with plural subjects (e.g., "They "have so far" completed the task") and "has so far" with singular subjects (e.g., "He "has so far" completed the task").