not so far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not so far" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean "not to such a great extent" or "not very far." It can be used in various contexts to express different meanings. Example 1: - "Have you traveled to many countries?" - "Not so far, I've only been to three." Example 2: - "How much progress have you made on the project?" - "Not so far, we're still in the planning stages." Example 3: - "Is the nearest gas station far from here?" - "Not so far, it's just a few blocks away." Example 4: - "Have you achieved your goals for the year?" - "Not so far, but I'm working on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not so far.

The New York Times

It has not so far.

The Economist

Not so far from Mistassini.

The New Yorker

Or not so far.

The Guardian - Books

Not here, at least not so far.

The New York Times

Not so far as you can see.

The New Yorker

Not so far, Barry replies.

The Guardian - Arts

Nothing dramatic at least, not so far.

The New Yorker

They have not so far done so.

The Guardian - Tech

Romania is not so far away.

The New York Times - Sports

But not, so far, a lot more.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not so far" to indicate something is reasonably close or not too advanced, providing a sense of reassurance or feasibility.

Common error

Avoid using "not so far" solely for physical distance when you intend to convey progress or achievement; use more specific terms like "achievable" or "within reach" for abstract concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so far" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a limited degree of distance, progress, or extent. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage spans both literal and figurative contexts, highlighting its flexibility in communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not so far" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is reasonably close or not too advanced. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards informality and reassures the audience of proximity or feasibility. Alternatives like "not very distant" and "within reach" offer similar meanings, but "not so far" maintains its unique charm in expressing a sense of nearness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very distant

Indicates a small physical or metaphorical distance, similar to "not so far".

not a great distance

Rephrases the original, specifying 'distance' but keeping the sense of nearness.

not too remote

Suggests something is reasonably close, with a slight emphasis on being accessible.

not at all far

Emphasizes the closeness or lack of distance more strongly.

relatively near

Adds a comparative element, indicating it's closer than something else.

within reach

Implies accessibility or achievability, extending the meaning beyond physical distance.

in close proximity

Formally indicates nearness, often used for locations or abstract concepts.

in the vicinity

Indicates a general area of closeness, less precise than "not so far".

not beyond the pale

Shifts the meaning to 'acceptable' or 'within reasonable limits' rather than physical distance.

just around the corner

Figuratively refers to an event that will happen soon, changing the temporal aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "not so far" to indicate that something is not very distant, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The station is "not so far" from here", or "The project is "not so far" along in development".

What are some alternatives to using "not so far"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "not very distant", "relatively near", or "within reach".

Is it correct to say "not so far away"?

Yes, "not so far away" is a correct and common variation of "not so far", emphasizing the lack of significant distance.

What's the difference between "not so far" and "not far"?

"Not so far" implies a slightly greater distance than "not far". Both indicate nearness, but "not so far" can also suggest "not to a great extent" in figurative contexts.