to the extent

USAGE SUMMARY

"to the extent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is true to a certain degree, but not necessarily completely true. For example, "The new policy will help the economy to the extent that it encourages investments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not to the extent most people imagine.

The New York Times

consuming only to the extent of 300,000l.

The Economist

To the extent that he has one.

The New York Times - Magazine

shall be uniform, to the extent practicable.

Cornell University

you to the extent you can.

Harvard University

That has happened, but not to the extent expected.

The New York Times

To the extent you can predict human behavior, no.

The New York Times

To the extent that he knew how to love, anyway.

The New Yorker

"Never to the extent of making plans," he replied.

The New Yorker

"To the extent that there isn't, we'll probably keep it".

The New York Times

Greenwood stutters, to the extent that verbal conversation is difficult.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the extent" to clearly define the boundaries or conditions under which a statement is valid. This ensures precision and avoids overgeneralizations in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to the extent" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would improve clarity. Sometimes, breaking down the sentence can make your writing more accessible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the extent" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause specifying a limit or degree to which something is true or valid. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to the extent" is a versatile phrase used to qualify statements by specifying limits or conditions. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news media and academic writing. While it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts, remember to use it judiciously to enhance clarity rather than complicate your sentences. Consider related alternatives like "insofar as" or "as far as" to refine your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insofar as

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the limitations or conditions under which something is true.

to the degree that

This alternative is a direct synonym, focusing on the measurable or quantifiable aspect of the condition.

to the degree possible

This alternative emphasizes the effort to reach a certain level, acknowledging potential constraints.

as far as

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes a limitation based on knowledge or ability.

so far as

This alternative indicates limitation based on current circumstances or available information.

within the limits of

This alternative emphasizes the presence of defined restrictions or boundaries.

subject to

This alternative highlights that something is conditional and dependent on specific factors.

to a certain degree

This alternative is less precise and conveys a general sense of limitation without specifying details.

up to a point

This alternative is informal and suggests a limit beyond which something is no longer true or effective.

as much as

This alternative focuses on quantity or amount and emphasizes reaching a maximum level.

FAQs

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

Use "to the extent" to indicate that something is true only in a particular amount or degree. For example, "The project was successful "to the extent" that it met its initial goals".

What's the difference between "to the extent" and "insofar as"?

"To the extent" and "insofar as" are similar, but "insofar as" (/s/insofar+as) is generally more formal and emphasizes limitations or conditions more strongly than "to the extent".

Is it better to use "to the extent that" or just "to the extent"?

Both "to the extent that" and "to the extent" are grammatically correct. The inclusion of "that" often provides a smoother flow in certain sentence structures, but it is not always necessary.

What are some alternatives to using "to the extent" in writing?

You can use alternatives like "as far as", "insofar as" (/s/insofar+as), or "to the degree that" (/s/to+the+degree+that) depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.