this far in advance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this far in advance" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to something that is happening a great deal of time before the time it is being discussed; for example, "We were able to plan this far in advance and get the best deal on the tickets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"This is unusual, to happen this far in advance," Mr. Maravelis said.

The New York Times

This far in advance, what can be said about the 2019 tornado season is limited.

The Washington Post

The problem is that nature isn't precisely predictable this far in advance.

The Washington Post

Forecasters stressed that this far in advance, the error range for tracking the storm is about 200 miles.

The New York Times

On Wednesday Downing Street said the prime minister's travel plans were not usually decided this far in advance.

The Guardian

Others say it's too early to make predictions this far in advance given Iraq's unpredictable security climate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

You can make this confit far in advance, in which case seal the container, leave it to cool, then refrigerate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Do not do this too far in advance: once peppercorns are exposed to air, they begin to lose their punch.

The New York Times

"We do this pretty far in advance," said Christine Wilkinson, senior vice president and secretary of Arizona State University.

Huffington Post

Doing this too far in advance will leave a stinky mess before Halloween.

WikiHow

Do this as far in advance as possible in order to properly plan any time off you may need.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events or projects, using "this far in advance" helps emphasize the lead time necessary for proper planning and execution. Be specific with the amount of time indicated for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "this far in advance" when discussing inherently unpredictable events, like weather patterns or stock market fluctuations, as it can imply a level of certainty that doesn't exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this far in advance" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the temporal distance between a planned action and the event it precedes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, from event planning to forecasting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this far in advance" serves as a valuable adverbial phrase to highlight the temporal gap between planning and execution. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. To maximize clarity, specify the actual duration whenever possible. Bear in mind that while the phrase is useful for event planning and scheduling, it might not be fit for discussions involving unpredictable events. Consider phrases like "well in advance" or "long beforehand" as alternative options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well in advance

Focuses on the 'early' aspect more directly, emphasizing preparation.

long beforehand

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

considerably earlier

Highlights the temporal gap more explicitly.

substantially ahead of time

More formal and emphasizes preparation and timing.

with significant forethought

Shifts focus to the planning and thought involved.

in ample time

Emphasizes having enough time for preparation.

quite a while before

More colloquial and emphasizes the duration of time.

appreciably sooner

Highlights the comparative earliness.

far ahead of schedule

Specifically relates to timelines and deadlines.

at a distant date

Focuses on the remoteness of the future point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "this far in advance" in a sentence?

You can use "this far in advance" to indicate actions taken well ahead of a specific event or date, like "We booked our venue "well in advance", which allowed us to secure our preferred date".

What's a good alternative to using "this far in advance"?

Alternatives include phrases like "well beforehand", "considerably earlier", or "significantly ahead of time" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify a time frame when using "this far in advance"?

While not always necessary, specifying a time frame (e.g., "three months this far in advance") provides clearer context and strengthens the impact of your statement.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "this far in advance"?

Avoid using "this far in advance" in situations where predictions or plans are inherently uncertain due to unforeseen circumstances or rapidly changing variables.