still so far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "still so far" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that despite progress, there remains a significant distance or gap to cover. Example: "We've made some improvements, but we are still so far from achieving our ultimate goal."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Still, so far, so good.

The New York Times

We're so close but still so far.

The New York Times - Sports

But why are we still so far from equilibrium?

The Economist

Still, so far the impact has not been great.

The Economist

Still, so far, no pits have been found.

The New York Times

"Edinburgh's a bubble; there's still so far to go.

The Guardian

Still, so far Taiwan has always been a follower, making things invented elsewhere more cheaply.

The Economist

Will is getting close, but he's still so far away from understanding what his intentions are.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Still, so far," the aide said, "we have only links, not proof.

The New York Times

Still, so far this year the Dow is down a bit more than 5percentt.

The New York Times

The world has got so close to polio eradication and yet is still so far away.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "still so far", ensure it clearly indicates that progress has been made, but a considerable distance or goal remains unfulfilled. This phrase works best when contrasting current advancements with ultimate objectives.

Common error

Avoid using "still so far" when there's no prior context of progress or advancement. This phrase implies a comparison between current achievements and remaining goals, so without that context, it can sound illogical or confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still so far" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent to which something remains unfulfilled or distant. Examples from Ludwig highlight its use to express distance from a goal or ideal, even after progress has been made. Ludwig AI's analysis may see it as non-standard, but its functional role is clear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "still so far" is a common expression used to emphasize that a significant distance or goal remains unfulfilled despite some progress. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard, the comprehensive analysis reveals its frequent usage across varied contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like ""still a long way off"" or "yet to reach" offer similar meanings, "still so far" effectively conveys a sense of ongoing effort and remaining challenges, making it an acceptable phrase in neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still a long way off

Emphasizes the remaining distance to a goal.

yet to reach

Highlights the unachieved status of something.

remains distant

Focuses on the current state of being far away.

a considerable distance remains

More formal way of emphasizing the remaining distance.

yet to be attained

Highlights the unachieved status of a goal or aspiration.

still far from being achieved

Emphasizes the lack of fulfillment.

a significant gap remains

Focuses on the difference between the current state and the desired outcome.

not there yet

A more colloquial expression conveying the same meaning.

still a ways to go

An informal expression, similar to "still a long way off".

progress is still needed

Focuses on the need for continued advancement.

FAQs

What does "still so far" mean?

The phrase "still so far" indicates that although some progress has been made, there is a considerable distance or a significant goal that remains unachieved.

How can I use "still so far" in a sentence?

You can use "still so far" to emphasize the gap between a current state and a desired outcome. For example: "We've made some improvements, but we are "still a long way off" from achieving our objectives."

Which is a better alternative to "still so far"?

Alternatives like ""still a long way off"", "remains distant", or "yet to reach" can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "still so far" grammatically correct?

While Ludwig AI considers "still so far" as non-standard, its frequent use in reputable news and media sources suggests it is acceptable. However, it's essential to ensure clarity and proper context when using it.