Thus Far vs So Far: The Simple Rule That Makes the Difference Clear

Have you ever stopped while writing a sentence and wondered whether thus far vs so far is the better choice? You are not alone. These two phrases have almost the same meaning, and both can talk about something that has happened up to a certain point in time. The real difference is usually about tone, style, and context, not basic meaning. 😊

I have seen this confusion in emails, school assignments, reports, and casual messages. The good news is that the rule is simple. So far is the more common and natural choice in everyday English. Thus far is more formal and often appears in reports, essays, professional writing, and serious discussions.

Once you know where each phrase fits, choosing between them becomes much easier. In this guide, I’ll explain the difference with clear examples, practical tests, tables, common mistakes, and easy memory tricks. By the end, you should feel confident using both phrases. ✨ Checkup or Check-Up | Having vs Having Had | Ageing or Aging

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🎯 Quick Answer: Thus Far vs So Far

Thus far vs so far is mainly a difference in style. Both phrases usually mean “up to this point” or “until now.”

So far is more common in everyday conversation and casual writing. Thus far has a more formal or literary tone and is often used in professional or academic writing.

Examples:

• We have received ten applications so far. ✅
• We have received ten applications thus far. ✅

Both sentences are correct. The first sounds more natural in most everyday situations. The second sounds more formal.

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📚 Is Thus Far the Same as So Far?

Yes, in most situations, thus far and so far have the same basic meaning. Both can describe what has happened from the beginning of an activity until the present point.

For example:

I have enjoyed the course so far.

and

I have enjoyed the course thus far.

Both mean that the speaker has enjoyed the course up to the present time.

The main difference is tone. “So far” feels normal and conversational. “Thus far” sounds more formal.

A simple way to think about it

• So far = everyday English
• Thus far = formal English
• Both = up to now

This distinction matters because correct grammar is not always enough. Good writing also requires the right tone.

I once edited a short business email where the writer used “thus far” several times. Every sentence was grammatically correct, but the message sounded stiff. I changed most of them to “so far,” and the email immediately felt more natural.

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🔍 Thus Far vs So Far at a Glance

The easiest way to understand thus far vs so far is to compare their meaning, tone, and common settings.

Form	Type	Meaning	Example	Correct/Incorrect
so far	Adverbial phrase	Up to now	We have sold 50 tickets so far.	✅ Correct
thus far	Adverbial phrase	Up to now	We have sold 50 tickets thus far.	✅ Correct
so farther	Incorrect phrase	Not standard in this meaning	We have sold 50 tickets so farther.	❌ Incorrect
thus farther	Incorrect phrase	Not standard in this meaning	We have sold 50 tickets thus farther.	❌ Incorrect

Neither “so far” nor “thus far” is grammatically wrong. The choice depends mainly on context and tone.

What does “so far” mean?

“So far” means up to now or until this point.

Examples:

The movie is great so far.

We have completed three tasks so far.

So far, nobody has complained.

It is very common in spoken English.

What does “thus far” mean?

“Thus far” also means up to now or until this point.

Examples:

The results have been encouraging thus far.

Thus far, the project has stayed on schedule.

No major problems have appeared thus far.

It is more formal and less common in casual conversation.

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💡 When Should You Use So Far?

Use so far when you want your English to sound natural, direct, and conversational. It works well in everyday speech, texts, emails, reviews, social media posts, and many forms of general writing.

Here are common uses.

Talking About Progress

We have finished five chapters so far.

The phrase tells the reader that five chapters have been completed up to the current point.

Talking About Experiences

I like the new restaurant so far.

The speaker is giving an opinion based on the experience up to now.

Talking About Results

The plan has worked well so far.

This means the plan has worked well until the present moment.

Talking About Events

So far, the event has been peaceful.

The event is still happening, but everything has been peaceful up to now.

Test Tip 📝

If you would naturally say “up to now” in conversation, so far is usually the easiest replacement.

I have read three pages up to now.

becomes:

I have read three pages so far.

That sounds completely natural.

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🏛️ When Should You Use Thus Far?

Use thus far when you want a more formal, serious, or polished tone. It often fits academic papers, formal reports, professional documents, research discussions, and formal presentations.

For example:

The study has produced promising results thus far.

This sounds more formal than:

The study has produced promising results so far.

Both are correct. The first simply has a more formal tone.

Formal Reports

The company has met all major targets thus far.

Academic Writing

The evidence collected thus far supports the proposed explanation.

Professional Updates

No significant delays have occurred thus far.

Formal Presentations

The project has remained within budget thus far.

A useful rule is this:

Choose “thus far” when the writing needs a formal voice. Choose “so far” when natural everyday language is more important.

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⚖️ Key Differences Between Thus Far and So Far

The biggest difference is not meaning. It is register, which means the level of formality used in language.

Feature	So Far	Thus Far
Basic meaning	Up to now	Up to now
Tone	Casual to neutral	Formal
Everyday speech	Very common	Less common
Text messages	Natural	Usually too formal
Academic writing	Common	Very suitable
Business reports	Common	Very suitable
Social media	Natural	Often unusual
Formal reports	Good	Excellent

Does “thus far” sound wrong in casual speech?

No. It is grammatically correct. It may simply sound more formal than necessary.

For example:

How’s your new job thus far?

This is correct, but many speakers would naturally say:

How’s your new job so far?

The second sentence sounds more relaxed.

Does “so far” sound unprofessional?

No. “So far” is not unprofessional by itself. It can appear in professional writing when the tone is clear and direct.

For example:

The project is progressing well so far.

That sentence is perfectly professional.

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🚦 Correct Meanings and Uses

Both phrases can appear in several common sentence patterns.

1. Describing Progress

We have completed six lessons so far. ✅

We have completed six lessons thus far. ✅

Both tell us how much progress has happened up to the current point.

2. Describing Results

The treatment has produced positive results so far. ✅

The treatment has produced positive results thus far. ✅

The second version sounds more formal.

3. Describing an Experience

I am enjoying the trip so far. ✅

I am enjoying the trip thus far. ✅

The first is much more natural in everyday conversation.

4. Describing a Situation

Nothing unusual has happened so far. ✅

Nothing unusual has happened thus far. ✅

Both are correct.

Meaning	Word Type	Example Sentence
Up to the present	Adverbial phrase	We have had no problems so far.
Progress until now	Adverbial phrase	She has completed four lessons so far.
Experience until now	Adverbial phrase	I like the class so far.
Results until now	Adverbial phrase	The results have been strong thus far.

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🧪 Can Thus Far and So Far Be Swapped?

Usually, yes. In many sentences, you can replace one with the other without changing the basic meaning. Understanding thus far vs so far becomes easier when you focus on tone rather than meaning.

Consider:

The plan has worked well so far.

You can change it to:

The plan has worked well thus far.

The meaning stays almost the same.

However, the sound of the sentence changes. “Thus far” makes the sentence more formal.

Original	Replacement	Meaning Changed?	Tone Changed?
I like it so far.	I like it thus far.	No	Yes
We have finished five tasks so far.	We have finished five tasks thus far.	No	Yes
No problems have occurred thus far.	No problems have occurred so far.	No	Yes
The results are good so far.	The results are good thus far.	No	Yes

This is why choosing between them is often a style decision, not a grammar decision.

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📝 Case Study: Choosing the Right Phrase at Work

Imagine that an employee sends a weekly project update.

A casual version might say:

We have completed three stages so far, and everything is going well.

That sounds natural and friendly.

A formal report might say:

The team has completed three stages thus far, with no major issues reported.

That version sounds more official.

I once caught myself making the opposite mistake while reviewing a report. I had changed every “so far” to “thus far” because I thought the report needed to sound more professional. After reading it again, I realized the language had become unnecessarily stiff. A few simple “so far” phrases actually made the report easier to read.

The lesson is simple: formal writing does not mean replacing every common phrase with a fancy one.

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📐 Grammar Rules Explanation

The basic grammar rule is simple: both so far and thus far function as adverbial phrases that show a time period extending from an earlier point to the present.

They commonly appear with verbs that describe actions, experiences, results, progress, or situations.

Examples:

We have completed the work so far.

We have completed the work thus far.

Both sentences are grammatically sound.

The important difference is the level of formality.

“So far” is the normal everyday expression. “Thus far” is a more formal alternative.

Standard English reference works generally recognize both expressions as valid ways to refer to the present point in a continuing situation.

Correct vs Incorrect at a Glance

Sentence	Correct/Incorrect	Why
We have made good progress so far.	✅ Correct	Natural and standard
We have made good progress thus far.	✅ Correct	Formal but standard
We have made good progress so farther.	❌ Incorrect	“Farther” is not used here
We have made good progress thus farther.	❌ Incorrect	“Thus farther” is not the standard phrase
So far, everything looks fine.	✅ Correct	Natural time expression

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⚠️ Why Do People Confuse Thus Far and So Far?

People confuse these phrases because their meanings are extremely close. Both can mean up to now.

The confusion usually comes from three sources:

• Fast typing: Writers may type a familiar phrase without thinking about the exact form.
• Autocorrect: Digital tools can sometimes encourage an unintended word choice.
• Lack of knowledge: Learners may know both words but not understand the difference in tone.

There is also a simple vocabulary problem. “Thus” can feel like a formal version of “so,” which makes learners wonder whether “thus far” is simply the formal version of “so far.” In many practical situations, that is a useful way to remember it.

Similar Grammar Confusions

Confusion	Correct Forms	Main Difference
its / it’s	its, it’s	Possession vs contraction
your / you’re	your, you’re	Possession vs “you are”
their / there / they’re	their, there, they’re	Possession, place, contraction
affect / effect	affect, effect	Usually verb vs noun
then / than	then, than	Time vs comparison
farther / further	farther, further	Distance vs broader use

Common Wrong Forms for This Topic

Wrong Form	What’s Wrong	Correct Form
so farther	“Farther” does not fit this expression	so far
thus farther	Not the standard expression	thus far
so farer	Incorrect word form	so far
thus farer	Incorrect word form	thus far
thus so far	Unnecessary combination	thus far / so far

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🧠 How Can You Remember the Difference?

I use a simple two-step test when teaching this point. This simple test makes thus far vs so far much easier to remember and use correctly.

Step 1: Ask, “Do I mean up to now?”

If yes, both phrases may work.

Step 2: Ask, “How formal should I sound?”

If the answer is normal or conversational, choose so far.

If the answer is formal or official, thus far may be a better fit.

Easy Memory Trick

Think:

So far = simple and common.

Thus far = formal and polished.

You do not need to memorize a complicated grammar rule.

A student once wrote, “I have learned a lot thus far” in a casual message to a friend. The sentence was correct, but when I asked how the student would normally say it aloud, they immediately answered, “I’ve learned a lot so far.” That instinct was exactly right.

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📱 Usage in Different Contexts

Context can make the choice much easier. The best choice in thus far vs so far depends on whether your writing is casual, professional, or academic.

Context	Which Term to Use	Example
Everyday conversation	So far	How is your new job so far?
Professional writing	Either, depending on tone	The project is on schedule so far.
Academic writing	Thus far often fits well	The evidence gathered thus far is useful.
Creative writing	Either	The journey had been peaceful thus far.
Social media	So far	Best vacation so far!
Texting	So far	So far, so good!

Everyday Conversation

“So far” is the clear favorite.

How is the movie so far?

The food is great so far.

Professional Writing

Both can work.

Sales have increased so far.

Sales have increased thus far.

The second version sounds more formal.

Creative Writing

The writer has more freedom. “Thus far” can create a formal, reflective, or slightly literary tone.

Thus far, the journey had been easy.

Social Media and Texting

“So far” is much more natural.

Best weekend so far! 🎉

Using “thus far” in a short social post can sound overly formal unless that contrast is intentional.

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🗣️ Common Phrases With So Far

“So far” appears in several useful expressions.

Phrase	Meaning
so far, so good	Things are going well up to now
so far this year	From the start of the year until now
so far today	From the beginning of today until now
so far this week	From the beginning of the week until now
the best so far	The best one up to the present

“So Far, So Good”

This is one of the most common expressions.

How is your new computer?

So far, so good.

It means that everything has been going well up to this point.

You would not normally replace it with “thus far”:

Thus far, thus good. ❌

That sounds unnatural.

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🔄 Synonyms and Alternatives

Several phrases can sometimes replace so far or thus far.

Alternative	Works When	Does Not Work When
up to now	You mean until the present	You need a different time reference
until now	You mean before or up to the present	The context requires another time phrase
to date	Formal or business writing	Casual conversation
up to this point	You want to stress a specific stage	A short casual phrase is better
as of now	Referring to the current status	The meaning is not about current status

Up to Now

We have received 20 responses up to now.

This is clear but can sound slightly less natural than “so far” in casual speech.

To Date

The company has hired 100 workers to date.

This works well in formal reports.

Until Now

Until now, we had not seen this problem.

Be careful. “Until now” can sometimes suggest a change or contrast. It is not always a perfect replacement for “so far.”

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🎯 Why Does the Choice Matter?

The choice matters because good writing is about more than being technically correct.

Clarity

“So far” is instantly understood by almost every English speaker.

Professionalism

“Thus far” can be useful when a formal tone fits the situation.

Digital Communication

In emails, chats, and social media, “so far” often feels warmer and more natural.

Published Content

Writers should choose the phrase that matches the overall voice of the article.

A useful writing principle is:

The best word is the one that fits both the meaning and the tone.

Situation	Why Getting It Right Matters
Resume	Keeps language professional and natural
Client email	Matches the desired business tone
Published content	Maintains a consistent writing voice
Social post	Keeps the message relaxed and readable

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❓ Is Thus Far More Formal Than So Far?

Yes. Thus far is generally more formal than so far.

For example:

The project has gone well so far.

sounds natural and direct.

The project has gone well thus far.

sounds more formal.

Neither sentence is more grammatically correct. The difference is style.

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✍️ Can You Use So Far in Formal Writing?

Yes. So far is completely acceptable in formal writing when it fits the tone.

For example:

The research team has collected 500 responses so far.

There is nothing grammatically wrong with this sentence.

However, if the surrounding writing is highly formal, “thus far” may blend better:

The research team has collected 500 responses thus far.

The important point is not to assume that “thus far” is always better simply because it sounds more formal.

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🧐 Can You Use Thus Far in Everyday English?

Yes, but it may sound more formal than needed.

For example:

How are you feeling thus far?

is grammatically correct.

But:

How are you feeling so far?

is much more natural in ordinary conversation.

If you want to sound relaxed, “so far” is usually the better choice.

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🔎 Does Thus Far Mean Farther?

No. Thus far does not mean “farther.”

In “thus far,” far relates to the point reached in time, not physical distance.

Compare:

We have walked three miles so far.

Here, “so far” can describe distance.

But:

We have completed three chapters so far.

Here, “so far” describes progress in time or amount.

“Farther” is generally used when talking about physical distance:

The store is farther away than I expected.

So do not turn “so far” or “thus far” into “so farther” or “thus farther.”

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🧩 Sentence Patterns You Can Copy

Learning a few patterns makes correct usage much easier.

Pattern 1: Subject + Present Perfect + So Far

We have completed four tasks so far.

Pattern 2: Subject + Present Perfect + Thus Far

We have completed four tasks thus far.

Pattern 3: So Far + Comma + Sentence

So far, everything has gone well.

Pattern 4: Thus Far + Comma + Sentence

Thus far, everything has gone well.

Pattern 5: Best + So Far

This is my favorite episode so far.

These patterns cover many everyday situations.

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🧪 Practice Examples

Try choosing the better option before looking at the answer.

Example 1

I love my new phone ______.

Answer: so far. ✅

“I love my new phone so far” sounds natural in casual English.

Example 2

The findings have been consistent ______.

Answer: thus far. ✅

The sentence has a formal, research-style tone.

Example 3

How is the class ______?

Answer: so far. ✅

This is a normal conversational question.

Example 4

No major concerns have been identified ______.

Answer: thus far. ✅

The formal tone makes “thus far” a good choice.

Example	Best Choice	Reason
How is the movie ___?	so far	Conversation
The study has shown promise ___ .	thus far	Formal writing
Best meal ___!	so far	Social/casual
No issues have appeared ___ .	thus far	Formal report

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🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake is believing that one phrase is correct and the other is wrong. That is not true. Once you understand thus far vs so far, you can avoid many common word-choice mistakes.

Both are standard expressions.

The more common errors involve incorrect forms such as “so farther” or “thus farther.”

Mistake 1: Adding “-er”

We have completed ten pages so farther. ❌

Correct:

We have completed ten pages so far. ✅

Mistake 2: Combining Both Phrases

We have made progress thus so far. ❌

Correct:

We have made progress thus far. ✅

or:

We have made progress so far. ✅

Mistake 3: Overusing Formal Language

How is your vacation thus far?

This is correct, but it may sound too formal for a casual conversation.

A better casual choice is:

How is your vacation so far?

Mistake 4: Assuming “So Far” Is Unprofessional

That is also incorrect.

The project is going well so far.

This can be perfectly professional.

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📋 Quick Recap Checklist

Use this checklist whenever you are unsure.

Question	If Yes → Use
Am I speaking casually?	so far
Am I writing a text or social post?	so far
Am I writing a formal report?	thus far or so far
Do I want a more formal tone?	thus far
Do I mean “up to now”?	Either
Am I talking about physical distance?	Usually farther, depending on meaning

Three Final Practice Examples

1. The project is going well ___.

Best answer: so far in everyday writing. ✅

2. The evidence collected ___ supports the conclusion.

Best answer: thus far for a formal academic tone. ✅

3. How is your new job ___?

Best answer: so far. ✅

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❓ FAQs About Thus Far vs So Far

Is “thus far” the same as “so far”?

Yes. In most contexts, both mean “up to now” or “until this point.” The main difference is tone. “So far” is more common and conversational, while “thus far” is more formal.

Is “so far” grammatically correct?

Yes. “So far” is a standard English phrase meaning up to the present point. It is very common in conversation and everyday writing.

Is “thus far” grammatically correct?

Yes. “Thus far” is also grammatically correct. It is a formal way to express the idea of “up to now.”

Which is more common, “so far” or “thus far”?

“So far” is more common in general English, especially in conversation, casual writing, texting, and social media.

Should I use “thus far” in academic writing?

You can. “Thus far” often fits academic writing because it has a formal tone. However, “so far” is not automatically wrong in academic writing. Choose based on the tone of the sentence.

Can I use “so far” in a professional email?

Yes. “So far” works well in many professional emails. For example: “The project is progressing well so far.” It is clear, natural, and professional.

Can “thus far” sound awkward?

Yes. It can sound overly formal in casual conversation. For example, “How is your vacation thus far?” is correct but more formal than most people would normally say.

Is “so farther” correct?

No. “So farther” is not the standard phrase when you mean “up to now.” Use so far instead.

Is “thus farther” correct?

No. When you mean “up to now,” the correct phrase is thus far, not “thus farther.”

Can “thus far” and “so far” be used in the same sentence?

Usually, there is no reason to use both. They express nearly the same idea. Choose one based on the tone you want.

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🏁 Conclusion

Thus far vs so far is mostly a question of tone, not meaning. Both phrases usually mean “up to now” or “until this point.” The easiest choice is so far for everyday speech, casual writing, texting, social media, and most general communication. Choose thus far when you want a more formal or polished tone, such as in a report, academic discussion, or formal update. 😊

Remember that neither phrase is automatically better. Good writing depends on context. If a simple sentence sounds best with “so far,” there is no need to replace it with a more formal expression.

Also remember the common errors. Write so far, not “so farther.” Write thus far, not “thus farther.”

My favorite shortcut is simple: so far sounds natural; thus far sounds formal. Keep that rule in mind, and you will rarely struggle with this pair again.

When in doubt, choose the phrase that sounds natural for your reader and your situation. ✨