light years ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

'light years ahead' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to being, or having/doing something, far superior to someone or something else. For example: "Our technology is light years ahead of our competitors'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The N.B.A. is light years ahead".

The New Yorker

"The original is still light years ahead of our print.

The New York Times - Arts

The set-up is light years ahead of English football.

The Guardian - Sport

But she said television remained "light years ahead".

The Guardian - Film

"But we are light years ahead through mobile phones".

The New York Times

An American official boasts that "we're light years ahead of the rest of the G7".

The Economist

Gilbride said he felt Randle was "light years" ahead of where he was last year.

The New York Times - Sports

But, then again, our 3-D print is light years ahead of a 2-D poster.

The New York Times - Arts

"We're light years ahead of where we were last year," Cottrell said.

The New York Times - Sports

I ran in a Thanksgiving race with her and she was light years ahead.

The New York Times

"I think our department is light years ahead of the majority now.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "light years ahead" to emphasize a considerable difference or advancement between two things. This phrase adds impact, especially when comparing technologies, ideas, or achievements.

Common error

Don't use "light years ahead" when referring to actual physical distance. The phrase is figurative and should only be used to describe abstract differences in progress, quality, or understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "light years ahead" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of being significantly more advanced or superior. Ludwig confirms this, providing examples of its widespread use in this capacity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Sport

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "light years ahead" is a common and correct adjectival phrase used to emphasize a significant advancement or superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's frequently found in News & Media and Sport contexts and serves to create a strong impression. When using this phrase, be mindful of its figurative nature and avoid literal interpretations. Alternatives such as "far superior" or "significantly more advanced" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far superior

Focuses on the aspect of superiority, omitting the distance metaphor.

vastly better

Simplifies the comparison to a matter of being much better.

significantly more advanced

Highlights the advancement aspect, using a more literal description.

generations ahead

Conveys advancement in terms of generational progress.

leaps and bounds ahead

Uses a different figurative expression to indicate substantial progress.

on another level

Suggests a completely different standard of excellence.

a world apart

Emphasizes the difference in quality or state.

in a different league

Highlights that something is of a far higher standard.

streets ahead

A more informal idiom conveying clear superiority.

way ahead

A more concise and less emphatic way of expressing advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "light years ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "light years ahead" to describe something significantly more advanced or superior. For example, "Their technology is "light years ahead" of the competition".

What's a good alternative to "light years ahead"?

Alternatives include "far superior", "significantly more advanced", or "leaps and bounds ahead", depending on the specific context.

Is "light years ahead" an exaggeration?

Yes, "light years ahead" is a hyperbolic expression. It's not meant to be taken literally but to emphasize a considerable difference in quality or advancement.

What does it mean when something is described as "light years ahead" of something else?

It means that something is significantly more advanced, innovative, or superior compared to something else. It conveys a substantial gap in progress or quality.