You’re halfway through a report. You type “so far, the results look promising.” Then you pause. Should that be “thus far” instead? Does it even matter? This tiny word choice trips up writers every day, especially when the tone needs to shift between casual and formal.
Get it wrong, and your writing can sound either stiff or sloppy. Understanding thus far vs so far solves this problem for good, and this guide breaks down exactly when to use each one.
Quick Answer
So far and thus far both mean “up to this point in time,” but they differ in tone. So far is casual and conversational, while thus far sounds formal and polished. Use so far in everyday writing and speech, and save thus far for reports, academic papers, and professional documents.
What Does “So Far” Mean?
“So far” is the everyday phrase people use to describe progress up to the present moment. It fits naturally into conversation, emails, and casual writing.
Core Meaning and Origin
The phrase combines “so” and “far” to indicate a point reached without suggesting an endpoint. It has been part of English speech patterns for centuries and remains the more common choice in spoken language.
Characteristics of “So Far”
- Sounds relaxed and natural
- Common in speech and informal text
- Works well in blog posts, texts, and casual emails
- Rarely appears in legal or academic documents
Real Examples
- “So far, the weather has been great this week.”
- “We haven’t heard back so far.”
- “So far, so good.”
When to Use It
Choose “so far” when writing for a general audience, chatting with friends, or drafting internal team messages. It keeps your tone approachable.
What Does “Thus Far” Mean?
“Thus far” carries the same core meaning as “so far” but with a more formal edge. It signals precision and structure.
Core Meaning and Origin
“Thus” is an older adverb meaning “in this way” or “to this extent.” Pairing it with “far” creates a phrase common in legal writing, academic papers, and business reports.
Characteristics of “Thus Far”
- Sounds formal and authoritative
- Common in reports, contracts, and research papers
- Rare in casual speech
- Signals a professional or academic tone
Real Examples
- “Thus far, the committee has reviewed twelve proposals.”
- “Sales figures thus far exceed last year’s totals.”
- “Thus far, no errors have been detected in the system.”
When to Use It
Reach for “thus far” in formal writing such as business reports, academic essays, legal documents, or executive summaries.
Thus Far vs So Far: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Feature | So Far | Thus Far |
| Tone | Casual, conversational | Formal, professional |
| Common Setting | Speech, texts, blogs | Reports, academic papers, legal writing |
| Style Guide Preference | Preferred in AP style for general content | Common in Chicago Manual style for formal documents |
| Regional Usage | Common in both US and UK English | Common in both, slightly more frequent in UK formal writing |
| Grammatical Function | Adverbial phrase | Adverbial phrase |
Are Thus Far and So Far Grammatically Interchangeable?
Grammatically, yes. Both phrases function as adverbial expressions of time, and swapping one for the other rarely breaks a sentence.
When They Can Be Interchanged
In most sentences, you can swap “thus far” for “so far” without changing the meaning. Read this pair:
- “So far, we have completed three phases.”
- “Thus far, we have completed three phases.”
Both sentences work. The choice depends only on tone.
When They Shouldn’t Be Swapped
Avoid using “thus far” in casual dialogue or social media captions, since it can feel forced or overly formal. Likewise, avoid “so far” in legal contracts or academic citations, where precision and formality matter.
READ MORE: On the List or In the List? The Correct Preposition, Explained
Tone Matters: Choosing the Right Phrase for Your Audience
The real decision behind thus far vs so far comes down to audience expectations, not grammar rules.
Who Prefers What?
- Business executives and lawyers often lean toward “thus far” for its formal weight.
- Bloggers, marketers, and social media writers typically choose “so far” for its friendly tone.
- Academic writers use “thus far” in research papers, especially in the humanities and social sciences.
- HR professionals drafting employee communications often mix both, using “so far” in casual updates and “thus far” in official policy memos.
Common Mistakes People Make With Thus Far and So Far
Mistake #1: Using “Thus Far” to Sound Smart
Writers sometimes insert “thus far” into casual content just to sound intelligent. This backfires and makes the writing feel unnatural. Match your phrase to your actual tone, not the tone you want to project.
Mistake #2: Using “So Far” in Formal Reports
Dropping “so far” into a formal quarterly report can weaken its professional tone. Swap it for “thus far” when the document demands authority.
Mistake #3: Redundant Phrasing
Some writers pair these phrases with redundant words, such as “up until thus far” or “so far up to now.” Both phrases already express time progression, so extra qualifiers only add clutter.
Real-World Examples in Full Sentences
Everyday Conversation
“So far, I’ve read two chapters of the book.”
Workplace Communication
“Thus far, the marketing team has launched three campaigns this quarter.”
Academic or Formal Writing
“Thus far, the research has produced consistent results across all three trials.”
Online Content and Blogs
“So far, this recipe has been a hit with everyone who tried it.”
Quick Rule to Remember (Easy Memory Trick)
Think of “thus far” as wearing a suit and “so far” as wearing jeans. If your writing needs a suit, such as a report or legal document, choose “thus far.” If it’s casual, like a text or blog post, stick with “so far.” This simple trick settles the thus far vs so far debate in seconds.
Alternatives to “Thus Far” and “So Far”
Neutral Alternatives
- Up to now
- To date
- Until now
Formal Alternatives
- As of this writing
- To this point
- Heretofore (used mainly in legal contexts)
Informal Alternatives
- So far, so good
- Up till now
- At this stage
Thus Far vs So Far: Test Your Knowledge
Try this quick quiz to check what you’ve learned.
1. Which phrase fits best in a legal contract? A) So far B) Thus far
2. Correct the sentence: “So far up until now, we have met every deadline.” A) Remove “up until now” B) Remove “so far”
3. Which sentence sounds more natural in a text message to a friend? A) “Thus far, dinner was great!” B) “So far, dinner was great!”
4. True or False: “Thus far” and “so far” are grammatically interchangeable in most sentences. A) True B) False
Answer Key:
- B, “Thus far” fits the formal tone legal writing requires.
- A, “So far” already implies “up until now,” so the phrase is redundant.
- B, “So far” matches the casual tone of a text message.
- A, True. Both phrases work grammatically in nearly all contexts, and the difference lies in tone.
Conclusion
The choice between thus far vs so far comes down to tone. It’s not about grammar rules. Both phrases mean the same thing. So far fits casual writing best. It works well for texts, blogs, and everyday chats. Thus far fits formal writing better. Save it for reports, contracts, and academic papers.
Think about your reader before you pick one. Ask yourself who will read this. A friend? A boss? A professor? That answer makes the choice easy. Once you get used to this simple rule, you won’t second-guess yourself anymore. Your writing will sound right for any situation, every time.
Arthur Whitmore is a passionate grammar enthusiast and language writer at Hexobrust.com. He creates clear, helpful content on grammar, spelling, and everyday English to make learning simple and enjoyable.
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