the extent of which

USAGE SUMMARY

'the extent of which' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It often appears in sentences that talk about a quality, or a set of circumstances, which can vary in degree or scope. For example: "The effects of global warming on the environment are unpredictable, the extent of which we cannot currently measure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Humanity is suffering from an illness the extent of which is not fully known.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The shaded area in the map shows the extent of which of the following?

The New York Times

In this same period, of course, the federal government engaged in an illegal domestic wiretapping program, the extent of which is still unknown.

The New York Times

"Yet the Russian Olympic team corrupted the London Games on an unprecedented scale, the extent of which will probably never be fully established".

The Guardian - Sport

The extent of which we have seen the collapse of distances and barriers, bringing us closer together for good or ill.

The New York Times

In 1986, the predominant issue raised by children was sexual abuse, the extent of which was only then starting to be recognised.

The Guardian

From New York to Palm Beach, business associates of Mr. Madoff spent Friday assessing the damage, the extent of which will not be known for some time.

The New York Times

The agency said it also had 32 reports from Chrysler of such deployments, including claims of 10 injuries, the extent of which were not detailed.

The New York Times

But the film is more than a catalog of the singer's exploits, the extent of which almost certainly contributed to his early death, in 1994 at age 52.

The New York Times

This leads to isotopic fractionation, the extent of which can be expressed by a fractionation factor, alpha, also known as a separation factor, or enrichment factor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She adored Boy, and must have been, for all her modern views, agonised by his dithering – the extent of which is now fully clear – over the matter of whether he would marry an aristocratic English rose called Diana Wyndham.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the extent of which", ensure the preceding clause clearly establishes what is being measured or qualified. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the extent of which" when the subject being measured or qualified is unclear or ambiguous in the preceding clause. Always ensure a clear connection between the phrase and what it modifies to maintain sentence clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the extent of which" functions as a relative clause, elaborating on a preceding noun or clause. It introduces information about the degree, scope, or magnitude related to the antecedent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the extent of which" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a relative clause to provide further detail or qualification. Ludwig AI validates its usage across varied contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources. It helps to express the degree, scope, or magnitude related to a previously mentioned subject. While it's crucial to use this phrase with clear antecedents, avoiding vague or ambiguous references to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "the degree to which" and "the scope of which" can be employed for semantic variance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the degree to which

Focuses on the measurable level or intensity, offering a more direct alternative.

the measure of which

Highlights the quantifiable aspect, emphasizing precise assessment rather than general scope.

the scope of which

Emphasizes the breadth or range affected, shifting from magnitude to coverage.

the level to which

Similar to "degree", but implies a hierarchical or graded scale of impact.

the magnitude of which

Stresses the size or importance, suitable when emphasizing impact or consequence.

the amount of which

Suited for scenarios involving countable or measurable quantities.

the intensity of which

Focuses on the strength or force, highlighting impact or severity.

to what degree

Inverts the structure while maintaining a focus on quantification or intensity.

to what level

Mirrors "level to which", emphasizing a ranked or hierarchical scale.

the proportion of which

Implies a part-to-whole relationship, emphasizing relative size or share.

FAQs

How can I use "the extent of which" in a sentence?

Use "the extent of which" to qualify or measure something previously mentioned in the sentence. For example: "The damage was significant, the extent of which is still being assessed."

What phrases are similar to "the extent of which"?

You can use phrases like "the degree to which", "the measure of which", or "the scope of which" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "the extent to which" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the extent to which" is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as a relative clause, elaborating on or quantifying a previously mentioned condition or situation.

What's the difference between "the extent of which" and "to what extent"?

"The extent of which" typically appears within a sentence to provide further detail. "To what extent" is generally used to begin a question, inquiring about the degree or scope of something.