very far along

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very far along" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the advanced stage of a process, project, or development, often in contexts like pregnancy or project timelines. Example: "The project is very far along, and we expect to meet our deadline without any issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"By the time ALS symptoms are noticeable, the disease is very far along," said Maniatis.

Columbia University

Most said the reason wasn't that they wanted to keep their AI activities secret, but that they weren't actually very far along and hence their projects were not worth discussing yet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The port still has some life in it: an ambitious project christened Calais 2015 (still not very far along, it has to be said, in early 2016) plans to double its size.

The Guardian

"I'm not ready to look back yet because I have to say I feel we are so much a work in progress," said Katzenberg, the 63-year-old chief executive of DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. "We've come very far along, but in terms of being a broadly diversified family-branded entertainment company, I still think we're in our junior years".

Los Angeles Times

We're not very far along yet in true natural language understanding.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Before he moved very far along the baseline, ball and runner met.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

A harpsichord off to the very far side tinkled along almost like an afterthought or at least an accessory, rather than an integral part of the affair… but said tinkling did provide a pleasing color and was in any case performed with a charming pliability by the artist-on-loan.

Forbes

"It doesn't go very far until the popper comes along," he said.

The New York Times - Food

Alternating current can't go very far without having to be pushed along, so it requires power-guzzling substations.

Forbes

What I want to take away from that is the global nature of it and the fact that, especially on the environmental side but all of the engineering stuff involved in it, that again we're looking very, very outward and very, very far in emphasizing that along with a new undergraduate college.

Princeton University

"While there's a lot of talk about it, it doesn't seem like legislators are willing to move these bills along very far," Vincent Badolato, a policy analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures, told NPR.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very far along" to describe the state of a project, process, or development when you want to emphasize that it is at an advanced stage and close to completion.

Common error

Avoid using "very far along" prematurely. Ensure there is substantial evidence of advancement before using this phrase to maintain credibility and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very far along" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the advanced state or progression of something. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts, from project development to medical conditions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

37%

Science

13%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very far along" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something at an advanced stage. According to Ludwig, it is used across academia and news media to indicate substantial progress toward completion. While Ludwig's examples suggest it is a relatively rare phrase, its meaning is clear. Be mindful of context to ensure this adverbial phrase accurately reflects the degree of progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well advanced

Replaces "very far along" with a simpler adjective, indicating significant progress.

significantly progressed

Uses a verb-based phrase to emphasize the advancement made.

at an advanced stage

Focuses on the stage of development reached.

considerably ahead

Highlights the degree of progress compared to an expected point.

substantially developed

Emphasizes the extent of development achieved.

in the late stages

Specifies that the final phase of development has been reached.

near completion

Highlights that the project or process is almost finished.

approaching conclusion

Indicates an impending end to the process.

nearing the finish line

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey nearing completion.

making great strides

Highlights the significant progress being made.

FAQs

How can I use "very far along" in a sentence?

You can use "very far along" to describe the progress of a project, pregnancy, or any process that advances over time. For example: "The project is "very far along" and should be completed soon."

What are some alternatives to "very far along"?

Alternatives include "well advanced", "significantly progressed", or "at an advanced stage". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "very far along" in formal writing?

Yes, "very far along" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing the status of projects or developments. However, consider using more precise language depending on the specific field or industry.

What's the difference between "quite far along" and "very far along"?

"Very far along" indicates a greater degree of progress than "quite far along". "Very" intensifies the extent of advancement, suggesting near completion, while "quite" implies substantial but not necessarily near-final progress.