much further than

USAGE SUMMARY

"much further than" is a correct phrase in written English and it can be used to indicate that something is significantly more than something else.
For example, "We need to go much further than a simple apology to repair the damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some go much further than this.

The Economist

But it goes much further than this.

The New York Times

He goes much further than that.

Columbia University

But Jacobs went much further than this.

The Guardian

I haven't gotten much further than that".

The New Yorker

"It goes much further than that.

The Guardian

But the generalisation cannot go much further than that.

The Guardian

Cuba's soccer pedigree does not extend much further than that.

The New York Times - Sports

But its objections went much further than these practical concerns.

The Guardian

"He went much further than his father thought he would.

The New Yorker

The reader doesn't get much further than this either.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much further than", ensure that the comparison is clear and the context provides a reference point for understanding the extent of the difference. For example, "The project's scope extends much further than the initial proposal suggested."

Common error

Avoid using "much further than" when the difference is negligible or subjective. Ensure that there's a tangible or measurable distinction to justify the use of the phrase. For example, avoid saying "This brand is much further than that one" without specifying what aspects you are comparing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much further than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to emphasize that one thing exceeds another by a significant degree. Ludwig examples confirm its role in indicating a substantial difference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much further than" is a versatile comparative phrase used to emphasize a significant difference between two things. Ludwig's analysis, consistent with the provided examples, confirms its widespread use across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While grammatically straightforward, ensure that its use is justified by a tangible distinction to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "significantly beyond" or "considerably more than" can be used to add nuance, while understanding common errors can help refine writing. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly beyond

This alternative uses stronger terms to emphasize the extent of exceeding a limit.

substantially exceeding

This alternative emphasizes the significant amount by which something is surpassed.

considerably more than

This alternative emphasizes the quantity or degree by which something exceeds.

markedly surpassing

This alternative underscores the noticeable and clear difference between the two things being compared.

well in excess of

This alternative highlights the surplus or overage beyond a certain point.

appreciably further than

This alternative emphasizes the noticeable degree to which something is further.

farther afield than

This alternative suggests a greater distance or scope than initially considered.

distinctly ahead of

This alternative highlights a clear lead or advancement.

to a greater extent than

This alternative focuses on the degree to which something surpasses expectations.

noticeably in front of

This alternative emphasizes being ahead to a degree that is easily observed.

FAQs

How can I use "much further than" in a sentence?

Use "much further than" to indicate that something exceeds a specific limit or expectation by a significant amount. For example, "The company's expansion plans go "much further than" initially anticipated."

What are some alternatives to using "much further than"?

You can use alternatives such as "significantly beyond", "considerably more than", or "well in excess of" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a lot further than" instead of "much further than"?

Yes, "a lot further than" is a more informal but generally acceptable alternative to "much further than". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "further than" and "much further than"?

"Further than" indicates a simple comparison, whereas ""much further than"" emphasizes a greater degree of difference. The use of "much" amplifies the extent to which something exceeds the comparison point.