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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
"by far" and "far" stumped.
Here is my student's question.
1 This is by far the most intelligent student in the school.
2 This is far better than that.
"by far" and "far" Are they same?Can they swap?
I said no because "This is by far the most..." is a superlative. Superlatives always include a definite article (the) because you are talking about the best item in a specific group.
"This is far better...." is a comparative. Comparatives do not include a definite article. I do not, however, know why "by" is included except to differentiate it from "so far" and "as far as".
Anyone who can help me with the "by part"? I know you can also use it with sentences like "I am happier than I was ten years ago, by far".
Thank You,
1 This is by far the most intelligent student in the school.
2 This is far better than that.
"by far" and "far" Are they same?Can they swap?
I said no because "This is by far the most..." is a superlative. Superlatives always include a definite article (the) because you are talking about the best item in a specific group.
"This is far better...." is a comparative. Comparatives do not include a definite article. I do not, however, know why "by" is included except to differentiate it from "so far" and "as far as".
Anyone who can help me with the "by part"? I know you can also use it with sentences like "I am happier than I was ten years ago, by far".
Thank You,
Top answer
In this sense, "by" is used to tell how much one thing exceeds another or falls short of another. " "by far" is similar, except that no specific measurement is given, only an indication that there is a large gulf.
- In this sense, "by" is used to tell how much one thing exceeds another or falls short of another.
- " "by far" is similar, except that no specific measurement is given, only an indication that there is a large gulf.
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1 Answers
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In this sense, "by" is used to tell how much one thing exceeds another or falls short of another. For example:
"I am older than you by three years."
"This rope is shorter than that one by five metres."
"by far" is similar, except that no specific measurement is given, only an indication that there is a large gulf.
"I am older than you by three years."
"This rope is shorter than that one by five metres."
"by far" is similar, except that no specific measurement is given, only an indication that there is a large gulf.
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