What Does "as far as i'm concerned" Mean?
- What it expresses: It expresses a personal opinion or viewpoint, indicating the speaker's subjective perspective on a matter.
- What part of the sentence it typically modifies: It typically modifies the entire clause, framing the statement as the speaker's personal belief or judgment.
- Register: neutral to informal
How to Use It
- Typical sentence positions: initial / mid / final — and the initial position is the most natural and common.
- What it modifies and how it changes the meaning of a sentence: It modifies the entire clause, indicating that the statement following it is the speaker's personal opinion, not necessarily a fact or universally held belief. It adds a subjective element to the statement.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can be fronted for emphasis. It's generally not used with negation directly (you'd negate the clause it modifies). It's rarely used in questions.
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Placing it within the core of the clause (e.g., "It is, as far as I'm concerned, over") can sound stilted, although grammatically possible. Overusing it in formal contexts can make your writing or speech sound too casual.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from as far as i'm concerned on Ludwig.guru.
"As far as I'm concerned, we're there"." — The New York Times
"As far as I'm concerned, everybody's right"." — The New York Times - Sports
"As far as I'm concerned it's showbusiness." — The Guardian - Music
"It's over as far as I'm concerned"." — The New York Times - Sports
"Not as far as I'm concerned." — The New York Times
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/as+far+as+i'm+concerned
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| in my opinion |
A more neutral and widely applicable alternative. |
| personally |
Emphasizes individual perspective, slightly more formal. |
| to my mind |
Slightly more emphatic, suggesting a considered opinion. |
| from my perspective |
Highlights a particular viewpoint or understanding. |
| as I see it |
Suggests a subjective interpretation of events. |
| for my part |
Indicates a specific contribution or stance. |
| if you ask me |
More casual and direct, implying unsolicited advice. |
Common Mistakes
- Using "as far as I'm concerned" in highly formal writing can sound out of place. Choose a more formal alternative like "in my opinion" or "from my perspective" in those situations.
- Placing the phrase awkwardly within the sentence can disrupt the flow. It's best placed at the beginning or end of the sentence.
- Learners often confuse it with similar phrases like "as far as I know" or use it in contexts where a more formal expression of opinion is required.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| as far as I'm concerned |
Expressing personal opinion |
Neutral to informal |
Initial |
FAQs
Where is the best place to put "as far as I'm concerned" in a sentence?
The most natural position for "as far as I'm concerned" is at the beginning of the sentence. While it can technically appear at the end, placing it at the beginning creates a clearer emphasis on the personal opinion being expressed.
How is "as far as I'm concerned" different from "in my opinion"?
While both phrases express personal opinions, "as far as I'm concerned" often carries a slightly stronger or more emphatic tone than "in my opinion." The latter is a more neutral and widely applicable way to express a viewpoint, whereas the former implies a more personal or perhaps even subjective judgment.
I sometimes confuse "as far as I'm concerned" with "as far as I know." How can I avoid this?
The key difference is that "as far as I'm concerned" expresses an opinion, while "as far as I know" expresses a lack of information or the extent of one's knowledge. Remember that "concerned" relates to your personal view, while "know" relates to factual information you possess.