very far from

USAGE SUMMARY

"very far from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a significant distance or difference between two things. Example: Despite their shared interests, their political views are very far from each other, making it difficult for them to find common ground.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His potential was very far from exhausted.

Independent

And talking is very far from agreeing.

The Economist

Very, very far from it," said Service.

Stanford University

But I am very far from fluent.

Princeton University

But it is very far from perfect.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They are very far from it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We are very far from that step.

The Guardian

Outer London is very far from homogenous.

The Guardian

And very far from a "panic button".

The Guardian

"It was very far from my character".

The Guardian - Film

Not very far from here at all".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very far from", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared or contrasted. For example, "His performance was very far from his potential."

Common error

Avoid using "very far from" when a simple "not" or "slightly different" suffices. Overstating the difference can weaken your argument if the separation isn't truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very far from" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate a state of significant difference or distance. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to express a marked separation. The AI response also highlights that the expression is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very far from" is a grammatically sound and widely used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys a significant degree of difference or distance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications, indicating its versatility across different registers. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being compared. Be mindful not to overstate the difference when a less emphatic phrase would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite distant from

Replaces "very far" with "quite distant", emphasizing the separation or difference.

nowhere near

Indicates a complete lack of proximity or similarity, differing slightly in emphasis.

a world away from

Emphasizes a vast difference or separation, often used metaphorically.

distinctly different from

Highlights the clear and obvious differences between two things.

bears no resemblance to

Indicates a complete lack of similarity in appearance or nature.

removed from

Implies a state of being separate or detached, often in a metaphorical sense.

entirely unrelated to

Emphasizes the lack of any connection or association between two things.

considerably apart from

Highlights the significant distance or difference, both literally and figuratively.

at odds with

Suggests a conflict or disagreement, rather than just distance or difference.

markedly disparate from

Stresses the noticeable and significant differences between two entities.

FAQs

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

"Very far from" is used to express a significant distance or difference between two things. For example, "The actual results were "very far from" the initial expectations."

What are some alternatives to "very far from"?

Alternatives to "very far from" include "nowhere near", "quite distant from", or "a world away from", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "very far from"?

While grammatically correct, using "very far from" might be an overstatement if the actual difference is minor. Choose a more appropriate phrase like "slightly different" if the situation warrants it.

What's the difference between "far from" and "very far from"?

"Very far from" emphasizes a greater degree of distance or difference compared to simply "far from". The addition of "very" intensifies the separation.