not by far

USAGE SUMMARY

'not by far' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize that something is much less than expected or expected. For example: "His answer was not by far what I was expecting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The people in those camps are his people — though not, by far, his only people.

The New York Times

And "Skins" isn't the worst series for young people on cable, not by far.

The New York Times

Oft-made comparisons with Serbia's Slobodan Milosevic and Belarus's Alexander Lukashenka were over the top but not by far.

The Economist

His annual salary of $730,000 is among the highest for any central banker, but it is not "by far the highest".

The New York Times

The closing of that gap is lagging in the mining industry, if not by far.

Forbes

This list does not, by far, exhaust the means of time-travel (recovery), which cultural information has (e.g., archiving, excavation, and preservation).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But not enough, not enough by far".

Huffington Post

"It could've been a disaster – but it wasn't by far," Lohan told The Mirror.

Independent

Fat Mike of NOFX recalled, "They were the biggest band on the tour but it wasn't by far.

Wikipedia

"It is not ended, by far," he said.

The New York Times

Sent in to bat at No.4, he scored 44 not out, by far his team's highest score.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not by far" to emphasize a significant difference or to downplay expectations, adding nuance to your writing. For example: "The project is not complete, not by far, but significant progress has been made."

Common error

Avoid using "not by far" in sentences where you intend to express agreement or affirmation. This phrase is exclusively for indicating a significant difference or negation. It is incorrect to say "This is not a bad idea, not by far" when you mean "This is actually a good idea."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not by far" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement to emphasize a significant difference or the extent to which something falls short of expectations. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates that something is much less than expected.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not by far" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, employed to emphasize a significant difference or deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's apt for indicating that something is considerably less than expected. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, this adverbial phrase maintains a neutral register and serves to downplay or disagree with a prior statement. While not excessively frequent, its contextual accuracy ensures its effectiveness in writing. Consider alternatives like "not in the slightest" or "nowhere near" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not in the slightest

Emphasizes a complete absence of something, differing slightly in intensity.

not at all

Expresses complete negation, carrying a slightly broader application.

nowhere near

Indicates a large difference in quantity or quality, with a focus on approximation.

not even close

Emphasizes a lack of proximity to a desired outcome or state.

far from it

Expresses a contrary situation, offering a concise rebuttal.

not remotely

Suggests a complete absence of connection or resemblance.

not by any means

Denies something emphatically, adding a formal tone.

not in any way

Indicates a complete lack of influence or effect.

not to that extent

Limits the degree or scope of something, providing a measured response.

not to a great degree

Downplays the magnitude of something, offering a nuanced perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "not by far" in a sentence?

Use "not by far" to emphasize that something is significantly less than what might be expected or assumed. For example: "The event was not a success, "not by far", due to poor attendance."

What can I say instead of "not by far"?

You can use alternatives like "not in the slightest", "nowhere near", or "far from it" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "not by far" or "not even close"?

Both "not by far" and "not even close" convey a large difference, but "not by far" might be slightly more formal. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing.

Can "not by far" be used in a positive context?

No, "not by far" is generally used to express negation or to indicate that something falls significantly short of a certain level or expectation. Using it in a positive context would be grammatically incorrect.