by far 意为“ ...... 得多”,用来强调形容词或副词的比较级或最高级。例如:
This is better by far. 这要好得多。
We are walking by far the slowest. 我们走得最慢,而且慢得多。(by far 也可放在最高级之后)
注:(1) by far 用于比较级时,一般放在比较级词的后面。如放在前面,应在二者中间加 the 。例如:
He is taller by far than his brothers. 他比他的几个兄弟个子高得多。
He is by far the taller of the two brothers. 他远比他弟弟个子高。
(2) 但以下两句中, better 前都应加 the:
She is by far the better actress.
She is the better actress.
这两句都意为:她是一个极好的演员。
(以上均摘自:《薄冰英语惯用法词典》p.297)