perhaps going so far as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perhaps going so far as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest a possibility or extent of action that may be considered extreme or significant. Example: "He might be willing to go so far as to relocate for the job opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The upshot of this is that the reader begins to do more work than might be decently expected, perhaps going so far as to rewrite "Public," in "by the Public Gardens," as "Pub(l)ic," for example, and enjoying the opportunity for a schoolkid snigger that Cummings himself seems to have missed.

The New Yorker

If Tim gives TWO fucks about his E string breaking, he will totally freak out about it to the tune of multiple post-set conversations on the topic, perhaps going so far as to bemoan the unfairness of such an event or even cry about it in order to show that he very much wishes not to be associated with the minor inconvenience of watching a band restring a guitar.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He doesn't have to wait long before someone says hello or sits down to debate, perhaps even going so far as to denounce him for his public endorsement — first sounded in 1967, in the days after the Six-Day War — of a two-state settlement with the Palestinians.

The New Yorker

Mr. Lemonis calmly runs roughshod over the place, even going so far as to suggest to Hank that perhaps he doesn't want to run the business anymore.

The New York Times - Arts

Rafael Ithier, leader of El Gran Combo of Puerto Rico, perhaps the genre's most popular and respected working band, has emerged as a patron, going so far as to call publicly late last year for salsa fans "to support the boys in La Excelencia".

The New York Times - Arts

Well, his idea perhaps does not go so far as scaling down – because the singer he fancies being the backing band for is David Bowie, should he ever decide to tour again.

The Guardian - Music

Perhaps we can go so far as to call such a trip "prescient?" See!

Huffington Post

Perhaps you even went so far as to take a different aisle in the store to avoid eye contact with them?

Huffington Post

Perhaps to underscore that, Mr. Bush went so far as to kiss the top of Mr. Fleischer's bald head after Mr. Fleischer walked into the Oval Office last week to deliver the news of his resignation.

The New York Times

Perhaps one day we'll even go so far as to breed personalised pets that complement you perfectly, should you find yourself in sudden need of a heart, a kidney, or a liver.

BBC

Perhaps because Google doesn't want to go so far as to remove the popular application from its store – especially since Apple hasn't done the same, despite often having stricter policies.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perhaps going so far as" to introduce an action or possibility that is at the outer limit of what might occur, but still within the realm of consideration. It is useful for suggesting a significant escalation or consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "perhaps going so far as" excessively in very formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more direct and concise phrasing to maintain a professional tone. Alternatives like "potentially" or "possibly to the extent of" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perhaps going so far as" functions as an introductory element in a sentence, typically setting up a hypothetical or potential action that may be considered extreme or unexpected. As supported by Ludwig AI, it softens the assertion while presenting a significant possibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perhaps going so far as" is a phrase used to introduce a potential, often extreme, action or consequence with a sense of possibility rather than certainty. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts, particularly in news and media or science writing. While not exceedingly common, its use conveys measured speculation. Consider alternatives like "potentially extending to" or "possibly stretching as far as" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to express. Use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly cautious or hesitant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possibly even to the point of

Adds emphasis on the potential extent of the action or situation.

maybe even to the degree of

Emphasizes the level or intensity that something could reach.

potentially extending to

Focuses on the act of reaching a certain limit or scope.

possibly stretching as far as

Highlights the distance or limit of a possibility.

conceivably going as far as

Introduces a sense of something being within the realm of possibility, even if unlikely.

maybe to the extent of

Focuses on the degree or magnitude of something happening.

it's not out of the realm of possibility that

More formally indicates that an event is possible, although possibly unlikely.

reaching the point where

Emphasizes the culmination of a process or situation.

to a point where it might

Highlights the potential for reaching a specific condition or outcome.

potentially escalating to

Suggests a gradual increase or worsening of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "perhaps going so far as" in a sentence?

Use "perhaps going so far as" to suggest an extreme possibility within a range of options, such as, "The company, in its desperation, is "possibly even to the point of" relocating its entire headquarters."

What can I say instead of "perhaps going so far as"?

You can use alternatives like "potentially extending to", "possibly stretching as far as", or "maybe to the extent of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "perhaps even going so far as" or just "perhaps going so far as"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "perhaps even going so far as" emphasizes the surprising or unexpected nature of the action, while "perhaps going so far as" is more neutral.

What's the difference between "perhaps going so far as" and "maybe even to the degree of"?

"Perhaps going so far as" generally suggests an action or consequence, while "maybe even to the degree of" focuses on the extent or intensity of something. For example, "He might be willing to go so far as to quit his job" versus "His enthusiasm might extend to the degree of obsession".