an extent that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extent that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is often used incorrectly; the correct phrase is "to the extent that." Example: "The project was successful to the extent that it met all the initial goals set by the team."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

To an extent, that is a sadness.

The Guardian

To an extent that remains discernible today, he succeeded.

The New York Times

Reep is a much-maligned figure, and to an extent that is understandable.

The Guardian - Sport

Smith is modest – to an extent that has become annoying for his daughter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the problem has grown to an extent that was previously almost unimaginable.

The Guardian - Business

To an extent, that is the story behind the BBC's present predicament.

The Guardian - Opinion

To an extent, that was the case with the silicone breast implants.

The New York Times - Science

Bush-though not to an extent that threatens his grip on his party's nomination.

The New Yorker

They decimated whale populations to an extent that is still perceptible.

The New Yorker

Stalin has delivered the goods to an extent that seemed impossible".

The New Yorker

A French "nightmare campaign" decimated the Gbaya to an extent that was evident for several decades.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "to the extent that" instead of "an extent that" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, "The company succeeded to the extent that it satisfied customer needs."

Common error

Avoid starting the phrase with the article "an". The correct and idiomatic expression is "to the extent that". For example, avoid writing "The damage occurred an extent that repairs were impossible"; instead, write "The damage occurred to the extent that repairs were impossible".

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while frequently used, functions incorrectly as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. Ludwig AI indicates that the grammatically correct form is "to the extent that". Examples show its use in indicating the degree to which something happens or is true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "an extent that" appears frequently, it's crucial to note that it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage is "to the extent that". Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources, its incorrectness impacts formality and credibility. Remember to replace "an extent that" with "to the extent that" or similar alternatives like "to the degree that" to ensure your writing is both accurate and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the degree that

This phrase is a more formal and grammatically correct alternative, emphasizing the degree or level to which something happens.

to such a degree that

Similar to "to the degree that", this option amplifies the intensity or level being described.

insofar as

This phrase provides a conditional aspect, meaning 'to the extent or degree that'.

as far as

This alternative focuses on the limits or boundaries of something.

to the point that

This option indicates that something has reached a specific point or result.

in the sense that

This highlights the particular meaning or understanding of a situation.

to the limit that

This alternative stresses the maximum possible degree.

within the scope that

This emphasizes the boundaries or range within which something applies.

up to the level that

This specifies the height or grade achieved.

considering that

This option introduces a reason or condition that influences the extent.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an extent that"?

The correct and grammatically accepted way to express this is "to the extent that". It indicates the degree or limit to which something is true or effective. For example, use "to the extent that" instead of "an extent that".

When should I use "to the extent that"?

Use "to the extent that" to specify the degree or limit to which something affects something else. You can use alternatives like "to the degree that" or "insofar as" for similar meanings.

What are some alternatives to "an extent that"?

While "an extent that" is not grammatically correct, you can use phrases like "to the degree that", "as far as", or "to the point that" to convey a similar meaning. Always remember to use "to the extent that" for the grammatically correct option.

Is "an extent that" grammatically correct, and why?

No, "an extent that" is not grammatically correct. The proper phrase is "to the extent that". The incorrect usage likely arises from confusion with similar phrases, but "to the extent that" is the established and correct idiom. This phrase can be replaced by "to the degree that".