By Far – Meaning and Examples
When something is much better, bigger, or more impressive than everything else, we need strong words to describe it. In English, we use the phrase by far to show that something is the best or greatest by a large margin. This idiom adds emphasis to your comparisons.
What Does “By Far” Mean?
“By far” means by a great amount or to a very large degree. Think of it like a runner who finishes the race minutes before everyone else—they win by far. It emphasizes that something is significantly better, worse, bigger, or smaller than all other options.
When to Use It
Use this idiom when comparing things and one is clearly superior. Use it in discussions about preferences, quality, or performance. Use it when giving opinions about the best or worst of something. It is a neutral phrase that works in both casual and formal English.
Example Sentences
- This is by far the best pizza I’ve ever tasted.
- She is by far the most experienced candidate for the job.
- That movie was by far the worst one I saw this year.
- Our new apartment is by far bigger than our old one.
Mini Dialogue
Tom: “Which of these three restaurants do you like best?”
Lisa: “The Italian place is by far my favorite. Their food is amazing!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember, this idiom emphasizes a large difference. Don’t use it when things are very close or similar.
❌ Don’t say: “This book is by far a little better than that one.” (Use “slightly” instead).
✅ Do say: “This book is by far the most interesting one I’ve read this year.”
Practice Tip
Think of your favorite movie, food, or place. Create a sentence using “by far,” such as “This is by far my favorite coffee shop in the city.” Say it out loud to practice.
Final Note
You now know how to use “by far” to emphasize clear superiority or difference. This simple but powerful phrase will make your opinions and comparisons much stronger in English. Use it when you want to show that something is definitely the best, worst, biggest, or smallest!