is a far cry from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a far cry from" is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use it to indicate a stark contrast between two things. For example: "The current state of the economy is a far cry from what it was a decade ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Festivalbar is a far cry from "Aida".

The New York Times - Style

But Ms. Golinger is a far cry from a Sandalista.

The New York Times

Body armor is a far cry from brownies.

The New Yorker

But that is a far cry from 30 percent.

The New York Times

This is a far cry from Claude's neatly polished scenery.

The New York Times - Arts

That is a far cry from a lost decade.

The New York Times

That is a far cry from traditional venturing.

The Economist

That is a far cry from what Duke is today.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the city is a far cry from Provo, Utah.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a far cry from the late 1990s.

The New York Times

Identifying cats is a far cry from predicting the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a far cry from" to emphasize a significant contrast, ensuring the reader understands the magnitude of the difference. For instance, "The company's current profits are a far cry from its initial projections."

Common error

Avoid using "is a far cry from" when the difference is minor or subtle. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the contrast is substantial and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a far cry from" functions as a qualifier to express a notable contrast or difference between two entities or situations. Ludwig shows its usage in diverse contexts to emphasize dissimilarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is a far cry from" is a versatile and common expression used to emphasize a significant difference or contrast between two things. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While there are many alternative phrases, such as "is worlds apart from" or "bears little resemblance to", "is a far cry from" offers a strong and clear way to highlight disparities. When using the phrase, make sure the contrast is substantial to ensure appropriate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is worlds apart from

Emphasizes a vast difference, suggesting that the items being compared are extremely dissimilar.

bears little resemblance to

Highlights the lack of similarity in appearance or nature between two things.

is nothing like

Expresses a strong dissimilarity, indicating that the compared items share virtually no characteristics.

differs greatly from

Indicates a substantial divergence or contrast between two entities or concepts.

is a different world than

Suggests that the items being compared belong to entirely different realms or spheres of experience.

is a far cry better than

Expresses an improvement or advancement over something else.

is removed from

Indicates that one thing is distant or disconnected from another in a tangible or intangible way.

is unlike

States simply that two items do not share common attributes.

is distinguishable from

Highlights the capability to discern one thing from another.

is inversely proportional to

Indicates that when one increases, the other decreases and vice versa.

FAQs

How can I use "is a far cry from" in a sentence?

You can use "is a far cry from" to show a significant difference between two things. For example, "The movie was good, but the book "is a far cry from" the adaptation."

What are some alternatives to "is a far cry from"?

Alternatives include "is worlds apart from", "bears little resemblance to", and "is nothing like". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "is a far cry from" in formal writing?

Yes, "is a far cry from" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, consider your audience and the specific context to ensure it conveys the intended meaning effectively.

What's the difference between "is a far cry from" and "is slightly different from"?

"Is a far cry from" indicates a large difference, while "is slightly different from" suggests a small difference. Use "is a far cry from" when you want to emphasize that something is significantly different.