is far off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far off" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually means that something is distant, either in time or in space. For example, "The day of his return is far off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But full integration is far off.

The Economist

But that day is far off.

The New York Times - Style

It is far off the beaten path".

The New York Times

A minor league rehabilitation start is far off.

The New York Times - Sports

Even if Botsman is right, that day is far off.

The New Yorker

Though I can't imagine big-screen Siri is far off.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nothing would please me more, but I'm afraid that day is far off.

Harvard University

The mission to pacify Marja and Kandahar is far off track.

The New York Times

The border with the Arab-dominated rest of Iraq is far off.

The New York Times

Buy-to-let is gaining popularity but lending is far off its peak, mortgage experts say.

The Telegraph

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

If a school's centre of gravity is far off-centre, it may attract staff with rather odd, extreme views.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is far off" to accurately portray situations where the expected outcome or event is significantly delayed or uncertain. It's particularly effective when contrasting current conditions with future possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "is far off" when referring to events that are imminent or have a high probability of occurring shortly. Using it inappropriately can mislead your audience regarding the expected timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is far off" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun or situation as being distant or not imminent. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is far off" is a versatile expression used to convey that an event, goal, or solution is distant in time or unlikely to happen soon. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across a wide range of contexts, including news, science, and academia. It's important to note the temporal distance when using this phrase to avoid misleading your audience. While alternatives like "is a long way off" or "is distant" can be used, understanding the nuance and specific context ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a long way off

Emphasizes the considerable distance or time until something happens.

is distant

Directly states that something is not near or immediate.

is unlikely soon

Focuses on the improbability of something happening in the near future.

is not on the horizon

Suggests something is not yet being planned or considered.

is a remote possibility

Highlights the low chance of something occurring.

is not in the cards

Indicates that something is not destined or likely to happen.

remains a dream

Implies that something is only an aspiration with little chance of realization.

is a long shot

Conveys that something has a very low probability of success.

is wishful thinking

Suggests that something is based on desires rather than reality.

is pie in the sky

Indicates that something is an unrealistic or fanciful idea.

FAQs

How can I use "is far off" in a sentence?

You can use "is far off" to indicate that an event or goal is distant in time or unlikely to happen soon. For example, "A lasting solution to the conflict "is far off"".

What can I say instead of "is far off"?

You can use alternatives like "is a long way off", "is distant", or "is unlikely soon" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is far off" in formal writing?

Yes, "is far off" is suitable for formal writing, as it's grammatically correct and widely understood. Its appropriateness depends more on the context and the message you're conveying, rather than the formality of the writing.

What's the difference between "is far off" and "is far from"?

"Is far off" typically refers to something being distant in time or unlikely to occur soon, whereas "is far from" indicates a significant difference or a lack of resemblance. For example, "The end is far off" (distant in time), versus "The truth is far from simple" (not simple at all).