To the extent possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To the extent possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something should be done as much as is feasible or practical under the circumstances. Example: "We will accommodate your requests to the extent possible, given our current resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To the extent possible he should encourage Republicans to over interpret their mandate.

The Guardian

To the extent possible, he controls every aspect of his photographic process.

The New Yorker

To the extent possible, inlet flow rate and temperature were held constant during each test.

Applied Thermal Engineering

To the extent possible, guidance on the choice of hyperdiffusion coefficients is provided.

Journal of Computational Physics

To the extent possible, avoid collecting or retaining unnecessary personal information of customers.

Huffington Post

To the extent possible, I try to avoid getting dragged into public brawls.

Huffington Post

To the extent possible, resources are better used to provide prevention/diversion assistance and housing.

Huffington Post

To the extent possible, the approximate frequency tuning of the cell was audiovisually determined.

Plosone

To the extent possible, tumor area measurement was restricted to regions of invasive carcinoma only.

Plosone

To the extent possible, we have favored the use of real data over synthetic data.

Plosone

To the extent possible, the application process should be expedited.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to the extent possible", clearly define the limiting factors or conditions to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to the extent possible" as a blanket statement to excuse inaction. Instead, specify what is being done and what is preventing further action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the extent possible" functions as an adverbial modifier, limiting the scope or degree of an action or statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something should be done as much as is practically achievable. Examples show its versatility in modifying verbs and clauses across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to the extent possible" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to indicate that an action should be performed as much as is feasible within existing limitations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts like science, news, and business. While alternatives like "as far as feasible" or "where practicable" exist, it's essential to specify limiting factors to avoid ambiguity. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for setting realistic expectations and communicating a commitment to maximizing effort under constraints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As far as feasible

This alternative emphasizes practical limitations on what can be achieved.

Where practicable

This phrase highlights the importance of actions being capable of being put into practice.

To the degree feasible

Focuses on the level or measure of achievability.

Within reason

Indicates limitations based on reasonableness and fairness.

As much as is viable

Highlights the sustainability and workability of the action.

To the best of one's ability

This emphasizes personal capability and effort.

So far as is achievable

Highlights the ability to successfully complete something.

Insofar as it's doable

This alternative uses a more informal tone, emphasizing the practicality of the task.

If circumstances allow

Emphasizes external conditions as the determining factor.

Conditional on practicality

Highlights that the action is dependent on being practical.

FAQs

How can I use "to the extent possible" in a sentence?

Use "to the extent possible" to indicate that something should be done as much as is feasible or practical under given circumstances. For example, "We will accommodate your requests "to the extent possible", given our current resources."

What are some alternatives to "to the extent possible"?

You can use alternatives like "as far as feasible", "where practicable", or "within reason", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "to the extent that it is possible" instead of "to the extent possible"?

Yes, "to the extent that it is possible" is redundant. The phrase ""to the extent possible"" already implies that actions are limited by what is feasible.

What's the difference between "to the extent possible" and "if possible"?

"To the extent possible" implies a greater effort to achieve something, pushing the boundaries of feasibility, whereas "if possible" is a more casual indication of contingency. It depends on the nuance you want to convey.