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far and a long way

far in questions and negatives​

Far is most common in questions and negative clauses.

  • How far did you walk?
  • The youth hostel is not far from here.

In affirmative clauses we usually prefer a long way.

  • We walked a long way. (not We walked far.)
  • The station is a long way from here. (More natural than The station is far from here.)

far in affirmative clauses​

However, far is normal in affirmative clauses with too, enough, as and so.

  • ‘She’s gone far enough.’ ‘A bit too far.’
  • It’s ready as far as I know.
  • ‘Any problems?’ ‘OK so far.’

far with comparatives, etc​

Far is also used (in all kinds of clauses) to modify comparatives, superlatives and too.

  • She’s far older than her husband.
  • This bike is by far the best.
  • You’re far too young to get married.

Before a noun: a far country​

Far can be used as an adjective before a noun, meaning ‘distant’. This is rather formal and old-fashioned.

  • Long ago, in a far country, there lived a woman who had seven sons.
note

Much, many and long (for time) are also more common in questions and negative sentences ( (see here), (see here).