to the extent of

USAGE SUMMARY

"to the extent of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate the magnitude or degree of something. For example, "We increased our efforts to the extent of working overtime on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

consuming only to the extent of 300,000l.

The Economist

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

The New Yorker

He offered an intermediary to the extent of 500 million.

The New Yorker

Vector length corresponds to the extent of phase coherence.

Nature

But not likely to the extent of validating the implausible.

The New York Times

He modernized to the extent of embracing Gauguin-like style.

The New York Times - Arts

Species occupancy related strongly to the extent of preferred habitat.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

TONIGHT: - cotton farmers in this country get subsidised to the extent of $230 per cotton acre.

The Guardian

An index to the extent of successful smuggling is the market price of narcotics.

The New Yorker

"She was never gone to the extent of Mary Tyrone, thank God," he told The Times.

The New York Times

"We are working out details as to the extent of the collaboration," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the extent of" to clearly define the boundaries or limits of an action, agreement, or condition. This ensures precise communication and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "to the extent of" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "as far as" or "up to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the extent of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify a limit, degree, or scope. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a grammatically correct way to express magnitude. Examples from Ludwig show its use in defining the boundaries of responsibility or influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

23%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to the extent of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to define the degree, limit, or scope of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in formal writing and professional contexts. While it appears frequently across news, academia, and science, consider simpler alternatives like "as far as" or "up to" in informal settings. Using "to the extent of" effectively involves understanding its purpose of quantification and ensuring that it contributes to clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the degree of

Replaces "extent" with "degree", focusing on the measurement of something.

to the measure of

Uses "measure" instead of "extent", suggesting a specific quantification.

to the level of

Substitutes "extent" with "level", emphasizing the height or stage of something.

to such an extent that

Adds emphasis, highlighting a significant impact or consequence.

up to a point of

Indicates a limit or threshold, similar to a specific degree.

within the scope of

Highlights the inclusion or coverage of something.

within the limits of

Focuses on the boundaries or constraints affecting something.

as far as

Offers a more concise way to express the range or scope.

in proportion to

Emphasizes a relationship between two things that vary together.

commensurate with

Suggests that something is appropriate or suitable in degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "to the extent of" to specify the degree or limit to which something applies. For example, "We are responsible "to the extent of" the damage caused by our negligence".

What's a simpler way to say "to the extent of"?

Alternatives include "as far as", "up to", or "to the degree that". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "to the extent that" instead of "to the extent of"?

Yes, "to the extent that" is also correct and often interchangeable. However, "to the extent of" often precedes a noun or noun phrase, while "to the extent that" introduces a clause.

What is the difference between "to the extent of" and "in the context of"?

"To the extent of" defines a boundary or degree, while "in the context of" refers to the circumstances or setting surrounding an event or idea. They serve different functions in a sentence.