still a ways to go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "still a ways to go" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually means that there is work to be to do to reach a certain goal or complete a task. For example, "We still have a ways to go before we finish this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"There is still a ways to go.

The New York Times

"There's still a ways to go and there are still difficult issues.

The New York Times

"There's still a ways to go here, but there's such talent and energy," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

There's still a ways to go, but I definitely made some progress".

The New York Times - Sports

But it's still a ways to go to actually ban them.

The Washington Post

We are moving away from that, but there's still a ways to go.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

I still got a ways to go".

The New York Times - Sports

"He still has a ways to go.

The New York Times - Sports

"We still have a ways to go".

The New York Times - Sports

It still has a ways to go.

The New York Times

Some searches still have a ways to go.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still a ways to go" to realistically assess progress, tempering enthusiasm with an acknowledgment of remaining work. For example, "The project has seen significant improvements, but there's "still a ways to go" before it meets all requirements".

Common error

Avoid using "still a ways to go" to diminish genuine accomplishments. Ensure the context acknowledges the positive strides made before highlighting the remaining tasks. For example, instead of saying "The team's effort was good, but there's "still a ways to go", say "The team's effort was good, and although there's "still a ways to go", we're on the right track".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still a ways to go" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that although progress has been made, there is a considerable amount of work or distance remaining before a goal is achieved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "still a ways to go" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to convey that progress has been made but further effort is required to reach a desired outcome. According to Ludwig AI it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general discussions. While appropriate for neutral settings, more formal situations might warrant alternatives such as "considerable distance remains". It's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that it doesn't diminish genuine accomplishments while accurately reflecting the remaining tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not there yet

A simpler, more direct way of saying the goal hasn't been reached.

more to be done

Emphasizes the remaining tasks rather than the distance.

still incomplete

Directly states the unfinished nature of the task.

further progress needed

Highlights the necessity of additional advancements.

work in progress

Indicates that the task is currently underway and not finished.

long road ahead

Focuses on the length and challenges of the remaining journey.

more ground to cover

Emphasizes the spatial or metaphorical distance yet to be traversed.

yet to reach the end

States the incompleteness of the process.

journey is ongoing

Focuses on the continuous nature of the process.

considerable distance remains

Highlights the amount of distance left before completion.

FAQs

How can I use "still a ways to go" in a sentence?

You can use "still a ways to go" to indicate that progress has been made, but the final goal has not yet been achieved. For example, "The negotiations have been productive, but there's "still a ways to go" before we reach an agreement".

What are some alternatives to "still a ways to go"?

Alternatives include "more to be done", "further progress needed", or "not there yet". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "still a ways to go" in formal writing?

While "still a ways to go" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "considerable distance remains" might be preferred in highly formal contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "still a ways to go" and "almost there"?

"Still a ways to go" suggests that a significant amount of work remains, while "almost there" indicates that the goal is very close to being achieved. They convey different degrees of progress.