Is “Thus Far” Correct? The Definitive Guide to Meaning & Use

“Thus Far” remains one of those timeless phrases that bridges the gap between tradition and modern English. The English language is a fascinating, sometimes tricky beast that constantly evolves yet clings tightly to its roots. The phrase “thus far” seems to echo from dusty books and historical dramas, yet it maintains a solid place in today’s fast-paced, emoji-filled world. Whether in emails, meetings, or casual conversation, this old-timey expression continues to hold relevance. I’ve often noticed it in business writing, where its professional tone and formality lend a polished and confident touch to any communication.

From a linguistics perspective, “thus far” beautifully shows how tradition and modernity can coexist. Its idiomatic meaning demonstrates persistence, adaptation, and appropriateness in formal situations. You’ll often find it in reports, presentations, or professional communication, where it conveys clarity, precision, and formality. Still, in conversation or everyday English, many people prefer simpler terms like “so far” or “up to now.” This isn’t about right or wrong- it’s about context, tone, and setting. Each expression fits a particular usage trend depending on whether you want to sound formal or conversational.

In both writing and speaking, “thus far” strikes a fine balance between fluency, understanding, and familiarity. It adds nuance and semantic depth to your communication style, serving as a subtle progress indicator for how much has been achieved up to this point. Viewed through the lens of etymology and cultural shift, its phrase longevity, lexical choice, and context-driven expression flexibility show why it endures in both academic tone and professional language. Its structure, comparison, and formality make it a shining example of how the evolution of English blends tradition, resilience, and adaptation seamlessly.

What “Thus Far” Means

“Thus far” combines thus and far. It means “to this point,” “up to now,” or “so far.” It points to progress or results that exist at the current moment.

Thus: in this way, therefore, consequently.
Far: to a point or distance; figuratively it means extent or degree.

Put together, thus far signals something that has happened up to now in a way that often carries formality. You can read it as a compact way to say “up to this time and in this way.”

Quick fact: Thus far tends to appear more in formal, written registers than in casual speech.

Origins and Historical Notes

The word thus traces to Old English and Germanic roots. Writers from the early modern period used thus and far in combinations long before modern grammar rules stabilized.

Shakespearean-era use: Older texts sometimes show phrasing like “thus far have I…” where thus far appears naturally.
Legal and academic usage: Historically frequent, because the phrase suits precise reporting of status.

Key takeaway: Thus far is not modern slang. It has deep roots and carries a slightly formal tone in contemporary English.

Is “Thus Far” Grammatically Correct?

Yes. “Thus far” is grammatically correct in standard American English.

Major style guides do not ban it.
It works as an adverbial phrase that modifies verbs, clauses, and sometimes entire sentences.

Examples of grammatical roles:

Modifying a verb: Thus far, we have collected the data.
Modifying a clause: The experiment, thus far, has shown consistent results.
Beginning a sentence: Thus far the plan has succeeded. – This is fine.

Style note: In formal writing, consider whether thus far adds clarity or simply heightens formality. If clarity is all you need, so far may feel more natural

Formality and Register

Formality: Thus far reads as formal or semi-formal. Use it in reports, academic writing, and prepared remarks. Avoid it in relaxed talk unless you want a slightly elevated tone.

Comparison by register:

Phrase	Register	Best used in
Thus far	Formal / semi-formal	Reports, academic texts, formal email
So far	Neutral / conversational	Casual speech, everyday writing
To date	Formal	Business reports, legal, medical
Up to now	Neutral	General writing, summaries
This far	Literal distance	Physical contexts, showing extent

Practical rule: If you write business documents or academic pieces, thus far works well. If you write social posts or texts, so far fits better.

Where “Thus Far” Fits Best – Contexts and Use Cases

Use thus far when you need a concise and formal way to describe progress or standing.

Good contexts:

Progress reports: Thus far the team has completed 62% of the milestones.
Research updates: Thus far results indicate a 12% improvement.
Formal correspondence: Thus far we have not received a reply.

Contexts to avoid:

Quick chat messages: Thus far, are we meeting tonight? feels stilted.
Friendly blog posts: Readers may prefer so far.

How “Thus Far” Compares to “So Far” and Other Synonyms

Many writers ask whether thus far and so far are interchangeable. They often are, but nuance and tone differ.

Nuance table

Phrase	Tone	Typical use	Subtle nuance
Thus far	Formal	Reports, academic	Slightly formal and precise
So far	Casual	Conversation, blogs	Neutral and very common
To date	Formal	Business, legal	Time-bound record-keeping
Up to now	Neutral	Summaries	Emphasizes timeline
As yet	Formal	Negative contexts	Often in negative constructions

Practical tip: Replace thus far with so far to make a sentence more conversational. Replace so far with thus far to increase formality.

Real-World Sentence Examples

Short, varied sentences help you feel the difference. Here are examples that show natural usage.

Simple examples

Thus far the project meets our expectations.
The vaccine, thus far, shows no major side effects.
Thus far we have recorded positive responses.

Complex examples

Thus far, despite limited resources, the community clinic has served over 3,200 patients.
The study, thus far inconclusive, points to a potential link between the two variables.
Thus far the policy change has reduced processing time by 18 percent in pilot regions.

Negative constructions

Thus far we have not observed any decline in performance.
Thus far there is no evidence supporting that hypothesis.

“Thus Far” vs “This Far” – Avoiding a Common Mix-up

This far refers to distance or extent, literal or figurative. Thus far signals progress up to now.

Examples

This far in the hike we saw two deer. → physical extent.
Thus far the hike has been easy. → progress/experience up to now.

Quick trick: If you can replace the phrase with “to this point” and preserve sense, then thus far is correct. If you need distance or degree, likely use this far.

Punctuation and Placement: Small Rules That Matter

Placement options

At the sentence start: Thus far, the plan appears sound.
In the middle: The system, thus far, remains stable.
At sentence end: The plan is sound thus far. – less common but acceptable.

Comma guidance

Use commas around thus far when it interrupts the flow as a parenthetical.
If thus far begins a sentence, follow it with a comma only if it clarifies rhythm.

Example

Thus far the team has succeeded. – natural without comma.
The team, thus far, has succeeded. – parenthetical emphasis.

Common Errors and Pitfalls

Watch for these missteps.

Overuse

Repeating thus far dilutes clarity and makes prose sound formal and repetitive.

Mismatching tone

Using thus far in a casual piece can jar readers.

Wrong swapping

Don’t swap thus far for this far or this far for thus far.

Awkward placement

Placing thus far where it breaks clarity, like between verb and object.

Example of awkward use

We have thus far completed the analysis report. – acceptable but may read stiff.
Better: We have completed the analysis so far. or Thus far we have completed the analysis.

Alternatives to “Thus Far” and How to Choose Among Them

Use a phrase that matches tone and clarity needs. Here’s a practical list with when to choose each.

List with guidance

So far – choose for conversational tone.
Up to now – choose for neutral summaries.
To date – choose for formal records and statistics.
As yet – choose for negative statements in formal writing.
Until now – choose when implying a change may follow.

Decision heuristics

Audience is formal → prefer thus far or to date.
Audience is general → prefer so far or up to now.
Need brevity → so far is shorter and friendlier.
Need precision → to date often pairs well with numbers.

Tables: Quick References for Writers

When to use which phrase

Situation	Best phrase	Why
Formal report	Thus far / To date	Sounds precise and official
Blog post	So far / Up to now	Feels natural and friendly
Negative formal update	As yet	Formal negative sense
Legal or medical records	To date	Standard phrase for records
Conversational speech	So far	Natural usage

Common pairings with punctuation

Position in sentence	Typical punctuation
Start	Optional comma for rhythm
Middle	Often set off by commas
End	Rarely punctuated but acceptable

Case Study 1 – Business Progress Update

Context: A regional manager writes a quarterly project report.

Original sentence

We have thus far met 40% of the deliverables, with a projected completion rate of 75% next quarter.

Analysis

The phrase thus far fits because the report is formal.
The sentence conveys status and projection clearly.

Improved options

Thus far we have met 40% of the deliverables. – simpler.
To date, 40% of deliverables are complete. – more record-like.

Lesson: For clarity in business documents, to date works well with numbers. Use thus far when you want slightly more formality without changing meaning.

Case Study 2 – Academic Abstract

Context: A researcher drafts an abstract for a conference.

Original sentence

Thus far, our findings suggest a positive correlation between sleep duration and cognitive score improvements.

Analysis

Abstracts favor concise, formal phrasing. Thus far suits that tone.
The phrase signals provisional results.

Alternative

Preliminary findings indicate a positive correlation between sleep and cognitive improvement. – avoids thus far and tightens phrasing.

Lesson: Use thus far when you want to convey provisional status with formal flavor. If brevity matters, opt for alternatives.

Examples from Published Writing

Writers, journalists, and academics occasionally use thus far. Below are representative examples, adapted for clarity.

Example 1: Newspaper

Thus far, the new policy has reduced wait times at clinics.

Example 2: Academic paper

Thus far the results align with the initial hypothesis.

Example 3: Corporate report

Thus far we have invested $2.6 million in the pilot phase.

Why these matter: Published uses show acceptance across registers. They also show the phrase often serves to frame provisional or incremental results.

Stylistic Tips for Using “Thus Far”

Follow these rules to keep your writing clear and natural.

Avoid overuse. Use the phrase when it adds formality or clarity.
Match tone. If your piece reads conversational, use so far.
Keep sentences short. Short sentences increase readability.
Use with numbers. Pair thus far or to date with statistics.
Watch commas. Use commas to separate the phrase only when it interrupts flow.
Avoid redundancy. Don’t pair thus far with so far in the same clause.

Mini checklist for editors

Does thus far fit the audience?
Could a simpler phrase improve readability?
Is the sentence concise?
Does the phrase add necessary nuance?

A Table of Examples, Alternatives, and Tone

Example sentence	Alternative phrase	Tone difference
Thus far the vaccine shows 92% efficacy.	So far the vaccine shows 92% efficacy.	Alternative is more conversational
Thus far we have not seen side effects.	As yet we have not seen side effects.	As yet is more formal, slightly archaic
Thus far the study has enrolled 1,800 participants.	To date the study has enrolled 1,800 participants.	To date reads like a record entry

Quotes from Style-Minded Writers

“Precision matters in short sentences.” – Practical guidance for clear updates.
“Choose tone first then choose phrasing.” – Useful editorial mantra.

These quotes reflect simple rules you can apply when choosing whether to use thus far.

Exercises to Practice Using “Thus Far”

Try these short tasks to get comfortable with the phrase.

Rewrite the sentence in a casual tone.
- Thus far we have collected 450 responses. → ______________
Replace with a more formal record-style phrase.
- So far we have 12 volunteers. → ______________
Identify whether this far or thus far fits best.
- We walked ______________ into the canyon. → ______________

Answers

So far we have collected 450 responses.
To date we have 12 volunteers.
We walked this far into the canyon.

SEO and Readability: Why “Thus Far” Can Help Your Content

Using thus far can increase perceived authority. It signals measured progress and thoughtful reporting. That adds trust for readers who judge content quality by language.

Ways to use it for SEO

Use thus far in H2 subheadings for formal guides.
Combine with numbers like thus far 3,200 users to capture data-driven snippets.
Pair with synonyms to cover search variations like so far and to date.

Somatic SEO tip: Add sensory or experiential detail when you describe progress. For example, Thus far the tables show clear drops in load time. Sensory phrases strengthen engagement for readers and search engines.

Advanced Notes on Collocations and Grammatical Fit

Some verbs and collocations pair more naturally with thus far.

Common collocations

Thus far we have observed…
Thus far results indicate…
Thus far the project has…

Avoid awkward fits

Thus far loves… – nonsensical.
Thus far the sky – unnatural unless part of a larger clause.

Grammar tip: Thus far is adverbial. It modifies verbs or clauses, not nouns. If you want to modify a noun, rephrase.

When Not to Use “Thus Far”

When you need warmth. Use so far in customer-facing or community language.
When you need brevity. Shorter phrases often read faster.
When you imply permanence. Use stronger phrases like already or finally if you mean permanence.

Editing Checklist Before You Publish

Does thus far align with the article’s tone?
Is the phrase necessary for clarity?
Could a synonym improve readability?
Are commas used correctly around interrupting phrases?
Are sentences mostly between six and twenty words for rhythm?
Have you avoided repeating thus far in nearby sentences?

Final Verdict and Practical Rule of Thumb

Verdict: Thus far is correct, useful, and slightly formal. It suits academic writing, business updates, and formal narration.

Rule of thumb: Use thus far when you want to sound measured and formal, use so far when you want to sound natural and approachable.

Simple memory aid: If you can replace the phrase with “to this point” and keep meaning, use thus far.

Quick Reference: Pocket Guide (Copy This)

Use thus far when:

You report provisional outcomes.
Your audience expects formality.
You report numbers or milestones.

Prefer alternatives when:

You write conversationally.
You write for general web readership.
You need very tight, simple language.

Final Thoughts

Thus far, we’ve seen that this phrase isn’t just grammatically correct- it’s a precise, formal way to describe progress or results up to the present moment. It carries a tone of professionalism that works perfectly in reports, research papers, and official communication. However, the key lies in using it intentionally. Choose thus far when your goal is to sound clear, authoritative, and composed.

For more conversational writing, so far or up to now may sound friendlier. The distinction between these phrases is subtle but meaningful. Using them appropriately shows mastery of tone and audience awareness- two traits that strengthen your credibility as a writer.

Language evolves, but thus far maintains its timeless quality because it bridges old-world precision with modern clarity. Whether you’re crafting an academic report, a business update, or a thoughtful essay, knowing when and how to use this phrase helps your writing stand out. Precision builds trust, and trust keeps readers engaged. In essence, thus far is a reminder that great writing balances accuracy, tone, and connection.

FAQs

What does “Thus Far” mean?

Thus far means up to this point or so far. It refers to something that has happened or remained true until now and often appears in formal or professional writing.

Is “Thus Far” grammatically correct?

Yes, thus far is grammatically correct in American English. It functions as an adverbial phrase and is often used in reports, essays, and formal updates.