so as long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so as long" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "as long as," which is used to indicate a condition or requirement. Example: "You can borrow my car as long as you return it by tomorrow."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So as long as the spectators understand.

The New York Times

So, as long as there are stereos, Michael Jackson lives?

The Guardian - Music

And so as long as I feel like I'm making progress, I like it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So as long as there is constant motion, we don't feel it.

Cornell University

"It's closed, so as long as I don't get hit today, I should be all right".

The New York Times

So, as long as people produce in Noor, I think it works very well.

The New York Times

And so as long as "Coisas" remains inaccessible, Santos will be too.

The New York Times - Arts

And so, as long as this equation persists, I have hope for the Republic.

The New Yorker

So, as long as both are reunited, you continue to do the job.

The New York Times

It is leaking and will continue to do so as long as rain falls.

The Economist

They will do so as long as America ignores Pakistan's conflict with India over Kashmir.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need to express conditionality, carefully consider whether "as long as", "provided that", or "on the condition that" best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "so as long" in formal or academic writing. This construction, while prevalent, is not grammatically correct. Instead, consistently use "as long as" to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as long" functions as an incorrect conditional conjunction, attempting to introduce a condition upon which a statement depends. Ludwig AI confirms that it is not considered standard English, and the correct form is "as long as".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

18%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "so as long" appears frequently in various sources, particularly in News & Media, Ludwig AI emphasizes that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct and widely accepted alternative is "as long as", which effectively conveys conditionality. Therefore, it's best to avoid "so as long" in formal writing and opt for the standard "as long as" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. Despite its common occurrence, adhering to correct grammar enhances the credibility and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as long as

This is the grammatically correct and most direct replacement.

so long as

A slight variation that's mostly interchangeable but less common.

provided that

A more formal way to express the same condition.

on the condition that

An even more formal and emphatic version of "provided that".

given that

Similar to "as long as" but emphasizes the acceptance of a condition.

assuming that

Focuses on the assumption of a condition being true.

if and only if

Expresses a strict equivalence between the condition and the outcome.

in the event that

More formal and often used for unlikely or hypothetical conditions.

while

Implies conditionality, less direct than "as long as".

subject to

Indicates that something is dependent on a specific condition being met.

FAQs

Why is "so as long" considered incorrect?

While commonly used, "so as long" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase to express a conditional relationship is "as long as".

What does "as long as" mean?

"As long as" introduces a condition that must be met for something else to happen. Alternatives include "provided that" or "on the condition that", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "so long as" and "as long as"?

"So long as" and "as long as" are largely interchangeable, with "as long as" being slightly more common. However, "so as long" is incorrect and should be avoided.

When should I use "provided that" instead of "as long as"?

Use "provided that" when you want to emphasize the condition being stated, particularly in formal contexts. "As long as" is more general and suitable for most situations.