Thus Far Meaning
"Thus far" means "up to this point" or "until now," used to describe something that has happened or been true from the beginning until the present moment. It is a formal, transitional phrase commonly used in writing and professional speech to summarize progress or developments.
What Does Thus Far Mean?
"Thus far" is a formal adverbial phrase that functions to mark a temporal boundary—specifically, the span of time from some starting point to the present moment. The phrase combines two distinct words: "thus," which traditionally means "in this way" or "to this extent," and "far," which in this context means "distant" or "remote" in a temporal sense rather than spatial.
Historical Usage and Evolution
The phrase gained prominence in formal English during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in legal, academic, and literary contexts. While "thus far" remains grammatically correct and widely recognized, contemporary usage has shifted somewhat. In modern American English, speakers and writers increasingly favor simpler alternatives like "so far" or "up to now," which carry the same meaning but feel less formal. However, "thus far" persists in legal documents, academic writing, and formal business communication, where its more elevated register is valued.
Meaning and Function
When someone says "thus far," they are creating a checkpoint in time—acknowledging that something is true at this specific moment but leaving open the possibility of change in the future. For example, a project manager might report, "Thus far, we have completed three of five phases." This statement confirms current progress without guaranteeing future outcomes.
The phrase also serves as a discourse marker, helping writers and speakers organize their thoughts logically. It signals a transition between sections of argument or narrative, allowing the speaker to summarize before moving forward. This organizational function makes "thus far" particularly valuable in complex explanations, research papers, and presentations where clarity about temporal scope is essential.
Register and Context
The formal nature of "thus far" distinguishes it from casual conversation. While you might hear "so far" in a casual chat ("So far, the movie's been pretty good"), "thus far" appears more naturally in contexts demanding precision and formality. Legal agreements, academic journals, business proposals, and formal speeches all employ this phrase to maintain professional tone and clarity.
Modern Equivalents
Contemporary writers often substitute "thus far" with shorter, more accessible phrases: "so far," "up to now," "up to this point," or "to date." These alternatives convey identical meaning without the archaic feel. Yet many professional communicators retain "thus far" precisely because its formal quality signals careful, deliberate communication.
Key Information
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Formality Level | High (formal/academic/professional) |
| Common Contexts | Legal documents, academic writing, business reports, formal speeches |
| Frequency in Modern English | Moderate; declining in casual speech, stable in formal writing |
| Similar Phrases | "So far," "up to now," "to date," "up to this point" |
| Register Shift | Increasingly perceived as formal or slightly archaic in everyday conversation |
| Grammar Function | Adverbial phrase; typically appears at sentence beginning or after a comma |
Etymology & Origin
Middle English and Old English; "thus" derives from Old English "þus" (in this manner), and "far" comes from Old English "feorr" (distant, remote). The phrase emerged as a compound temporal expression in Middle English.