so long as

USAGE SUMMARY

"so long as" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean "provided that," or "as long as." For example, "I'll do the work, so long as I'm paid fairly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So long as it keeps snowing.

Independent

So long as it's a diesel.

Independent

So long as they make the cut.

The New York Times

So long as they deliver.

The Guardian - Sport

So long as they earn".

The New York Times

So long as it's called Japan, anyway.

The Economist

Any car, so long as it's empty".

The New Yorker

So long as they realize we're together".

The New Yorker

So long as you don't overdo it.

The New York Times

Just so long as it's going forward".

The New York Times - Arts

So long as we remember, you live.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so long as" to clearly express conditions or requirements in your sentences, ensuring that the relationship between actions or events is well-defined.

Common error

Avoid using "so long as" when you simply mean "for a long time". "So long as" is primarily conditional, not temporal. Use "for a long time" or "as long as" when expressing duration.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "so long as" is to introduce an adverbial clause of condition. This means it sets a condition that must be met for the main clause to be true or valid. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so long as" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a condition or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "as long as" and "provided that" exist, "so long as" maintains a strong presence due to its clarity and effectiveness in expressing conditionality. Remember to avoid using it in purely temporal contexts to prevent confusion. Its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As long as

Offers a direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning and level of formality as "so long as".

Provided that

Replaces "so long as" with a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing a specific condition.

Only if

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the condition for something to occur.

On the condition that

Introduces a more explicit and formal statement of a requirement or stipulation.

Conditional upon

Highlights the dependence of something on a specific condition being met.

Subject to the provision that

Adds a formal tone, indicating a specific clause that must be adhered to.

Assuming that

Shifts the focus to an assumption upon which a situation depends.

Given that

Indicates that something is accepted as a condition or basis for inference.

If and only if

Specifies a stricter condition, indicating necessity and sufficiency.

In the event that

Presents a more hypothetical or conditional scenario.

FAQs

What does "so long as" mean?

"So long as" means "provided that" or "as long as". It introduces a condition that must be met for something else to happen or be true.

How can I use "so long as" in a sentence?

You can use "so long as" to specify a condition. For example, "You can borrow my car, "so long as" you return it by tomorrow morning."

What can I say instead of "so long as"?

You can use alternatives like "as long as", "provided that", or "on the condition that" depending on the context.

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

In most contexts, "as long as" and "so long as" are interchangeable and carry the same meaning. Some might perceive "so long as" as slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal.