long way ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long way ahead" is correct and usable in written English, and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example, "We have a long way ahead in our efforts to fight climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A long way ahead.

The Guardian

That is a long way ahead.

The Economist

That's looking a long way ahead, and Cruz has a lot of ground to make up.

The New Yorker

The top four were a long way ahead of the last two.

The Guardian - Sport

"But it's my first year and I still have a long way ahead of me".

The New York Times - Sports

Goldsmith on 24% and Khan on 31% were a long way ahead.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But Michael was a long way ahead and being world champion is all I care about.

The Guardian - Sport

He's still got a long way ahead of him in the life expectancy of a quarterback".

The New York Times - Sports

His son Paul King said afterwards: "We've got a long way ahead of us.

The Guardian

"Modric was our very first option, a long way ahead of anyone else," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

And the Conservatives are a long way ahead on economic competence.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long way ahead" to express that there is still much to accomplish or a significant distance to travel, whether in a literal or figurative sense. For example, "We have a "long way ahead" in achieving our sustainability goals".

Common error

Be careful not to use "long way ahead" when referring to very specific, short timeframes. It implies a more substantial duration or effort, not something easily achievable in a day or two. For example it would be awkward to say "We have a "long way ahead" to finish this task by tomorrow."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long way ahead" functions as an adverbial phrase, often modifying a verb to indicate the extent or duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and versatile usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long way ahead" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that significant progress is still needed or that a considerable distance remains, whether literally or figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news, media, scientific, and business communications. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure it aligns with the implied timeframe and level of effort required. Alternatives such as "much remains to be done" or "considerable progress is needed" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there's still a distance to cover

States directly that a certain amount of distance must still be overcome.

we have a distance yet to travel

Directly states the need to still move forward and cover ground.

much remains to be done

Highlights the unfinished tasks and future work.

significant distance remains

Emphasizes the remaining distance rather than the progress already made.

the journey is far from over

Emphasizes the continuation of a metaphorical or literal journey.

considerable progress is needed

Focuses on the amount of progress still required.

a long road still stretches out

Uses a metaphorical 'road' to represent the journey and the distance to travel.

significant advancements remain outstanding

Highlights the need for further improvements and progress.

future endeavors are extensive

Emphasizes that future tasks and plans will be significant and lengthy.

substantial advancement is outstanding

Indicates that a notable level of progress is still lacking.

FAQs

How can I use "long way ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "long way ahead" to indicate that there is still much progress to be made or a significant distance to travel. For example, "The project has a "long way ahead" before completion".

What's the difference between "long way ahead" and "long way to go"?

"Long way ahead" emphasizes future progress and potential, while "long way to go" focuses on the current distance from the goal. The subtle difference is that you are looking into the future rather than appreciating what it has happened so far.

Is it correct to say "a long way ahead of us"?

Yes, saying "a long way ahead of us" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It suggests that there is considerable progress or distance remaining for a group or entity. Alternatively you can express the same idea by saying "significant distance remains".

What are some alternatives to "long way ahead" that still convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "much remains to be done", "considerable progress is needed", or "distance yet to travel", depending on the specific context.