# thus far

CEFR B2 · Fixed phrase

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thus-far
Updated: 2026-08-05

## Definition

until now or up to this point in time.

For teachers: an adverbial phrase indicating the duration or extent of a situation from the past up to the present moment.

## Examples

- We have received three applications thus far.
- The project has been successful thus far, but we expect some challenges in the final phase.
- While the experimental data remains consistent thus far, further longitudinal studies are required to validate the initial hypothesis.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I didn't see him thus far." but "I haven't seen him thus far." — because the phrase connects the past to the present, it usually requires the present perfect tense rather than the past simple.

## Usage notes

- more formal than 'so far' and often appears in written reports or professional updates.
- Teaching tip: teach as a formal synonym for 'so far'; it is frequently used with the present perfect tense because it links the past to the present.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
