so on and so far

USAGE SUMMARY

"so on and so forth" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to refer to similar or additional items of the same kind, typically near the end of a list. For example: "I need eggs, milk, butter, cheese, and so on and so forth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They bump against the seat pocket (filled to bursting with a thick stack of airline magazines, in-flight shopping catalogs, and entertainment guides for the movie that is being shown on a screen so small, and so far away, I wonder why they didn't pass out binoculars with the headsets).

The New York Times - Travel

It was our first night away from the skill and comfort of the nurses we had come to depend on, and so far, so good.

The New York Times

The aim now is to get me back into full-on training and so far so good, it's all going really well.

The Guardian - Sport

My rule is to stretch every two hours while on the plane, and so far, so good.

The New York Times

I'm only interested in the power and the torque and so on in so far as it gives me a good drive".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

NASICON (Na3Zr2Si2PO12 -based gas seNa3Zr2Si2PO12 -basedectingasariousensors (capable2, Cl2, Vof andetectinghavariousar been developed by many researchers.

Electrochimica Acta

Two tech startups are making their public debuts today: Palo Alto Networks and Kayak Software, and so far, so good on both.

TechCrunch

And so far so good on this record.

Huffington Post

And the name change is so on point!" So far, the SEC has not commented on his outburst.

Forbes

The Dutchman made a series of overtakes and balanced aggression with caution in a way he has struggled to do on so many occasions so far in his incident-strewn season.

BBC

Oct 7 , 2013| So close yet so far away 📷 by KimKardashian on Keek.com.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the phrase is used in contexts where both continuation and progression are logically implied; otherwise, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "so on and so far" in formal writing or professional settings. It may come across as less polished than alternatives like "and so forth" or a more specific enumeration.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "so on and so far" is to act as a conjunctional phrase, indicating the continuation of a series or sequence. Although Ludwig's examples are limited, the intended function is similar to more common alternatives like "and so on" or "and so forth".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so on and so far" functions as a conjunctional phrase to indicate continuation, though it's less common than alternatives. Ludwig shows its grammatical correctness, but its infrequent usage suggests it should be used judiciously, especially in formal contexts. Consider opting for more conventional phrases like "and so on" or "and so forth" for clarity and broader acceptance. As examples are missing, its register is probably between neutral and informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and so forth

Omits "far", focusing on the continuation of a series.

and so on

A more concise way to indicate the continuation of a list or idea.

and the like

Indicates similar items or ideas follow.

and similar things

Explicitly states that similar items are implied.

and other such things

Similar to "and similar things" but slightly more formal.

and all that jazz

An informal way of saying 'and other similar things'.

and more of the same

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the continuation.

and everything else

Implies a broad continuation of various unspecified items.

and what have you

An idiomatic expression indicating continuation with unspecified items.

and all the rest

Suggests that the remaining items are similar to those already mentioned.

FAQs

What does "so on and so far" mean?

The phrase "so on and so far" implies a continuation of similar items or actions, suggesting both progression and extension of what has already been mentioned.

Is "so on and so far" grammatically correct?

Yes, "so on and so far" is grammatically correct, although it is less commonly used than alternatives like "and so on" or "and so forth".

When should I use "so on and so far"?

Use "so on and so far" when you want to indicate that a series of similar things continues in a progressive manner. However, be mindful that other alternatives may be more common.

What are some alternatives to "so on and so far"?

Alternatives to "so on and so far" include "and so on", "and so forth", "and the like", and "and similar things".