we have a long way to go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have a long way to go" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that there is still much progress to be made in a particular situation or task. Example: "While we've made some improvements in our project, we have a long way to go before it's completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

So we have a long way to go.

Harvard University

We have a long way to go yet.

University of California, Berkeley

"But we have a long way to go.

The New York Times

"We have a long way to go, women.

The New York Times

And we have a long way to go.

The Guardian - Sport

"We know we have a long way to go".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Of course, we still have a long way to go.

Stanford University

We still have a long way to go.

Critical Care

But we still have a long way to go.

EBioMedicine

I have a long way to go".

The New York Times - Magazine

You have a long way to go.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have a long way to go" to acknowledge current progress while realistically setting expectations for future efforts.

Common error

Avoid using "we have a long way to go" repeatedly in short succession. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have a long way to go" functions as an evaluative statement, typically used to express that significant progress is still needed to achieve a desired outcome. As shown in Ludwig, it acknowledges the distance remaining to reach a specific goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have a long way to go" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that significant progress is still needed to achieve a goal. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and scientific domains. While versatile, it's advisable to use it judiciously and consider alternatives like "we still have much to achieve" or "much remains to be done" to avoid redundancy and maintain reader engagement. Remember that the phrase serves to temper expectations and encourage continued effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we still have much to achieve

Focuses on the accomplishments yet to be made.

we have considerable progress ahead

Highlights the significant advancement that needs to occur.

we're not there yet

Emphasizes the current state of incompletion.

much remains to be done

Stresses the remaining tasks or actions.

the journey is far from over

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the process.

we're only scratching the surface

Indicates that we've barely begun to address the issue.

we've only just begun

Highlights the early stage of development.

there's a mountain to climb

Emphasizes the difficulty and magnitude of the task ahead.

we are at the beginning of a long process

Highlights initial stage of a lengthy undertaking.

the end is not yet in sight

Focuses on the distant target.

FAQs

How can I use "we have a long way to go" in a sentence?

Use "we have a long way to go" to indicate that much progress or effort is still required to achieve a goal. For example, "While we've made strides in renewable energy, "we have a long way to go" to fully transition away from fossil fuels."

What are some alternatives to saying "we have a long way to go"?

You can use phrases like "we still have much to achieve", "much remains to be done", or "we're not there yet" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we have a long way to go" in formal writing?

Yes, "we have a long way to go" is suitable for formal writing. It's a common expression that is easily understood. However, for highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "considerable progress ahead".

What does "we have a long way to go" imply?

It implies that while some progress may have been made, significant additional effort, time, or resources will be needed to reach the desired outcome. The phrase acknowledges the current status while emphasizing the work still required.