far

The word "far" is used when describing a point in time or distance:

• How far is it to the train station?
• Binte travels very far every day to get to work.
• The place you are looking for is not too far away.
• China is very far from the United States.
• Charles has traveled far and wide. (He has traveled to many places long distances away.)
• You’re too far from the microphone. Move closer.
• How much money have you made so far today? (so far = up to now)
• So far so good. (This is an expression meaning up to this point in time everything is okay.)

This location is very far away from the U.S.

You can also use "far" to describe a person’s movement within an organization, a company, or a school:

• Yusuf didn’t go far enough in his education, and now he’s back in school.
• Wes is likely to go far within the company because he’s so bright.
• Vanessa feels satisfied that she’s gone so far in her career.
• In some countries, girls aren’t allowed to go very far in school. After eighth grade, their education might be finished.

"Far" is also used to describe demands, requests, and behavior

• The students pushed the teacher too far. She gave everyone in class a detention.
• That’s far enough. You’ll have to stop what you’re doing.
• Members of the community don’t believe the man’s punishment went far enough.
• The hostage takers went too far in asking for money and a getaway car.
• How far will the employees be allowed to go in their labor negotiations?

The comparative form for this word is "farther." The superlative form is "farthest."

• How much farther do we have to drive?
• Which student in this class comes from a country that is the farthest from the United States?

Do you have trouble with the "f" sound. Click here to practice "f" sounds.

Click here to go to the Word of the Day page.

April 23, 2015