To the extent that
Example: I helped you to the extent that I could today.
Definition
"To the extent that" is a phrase used to indicate the degree or limit to which something is true or applies. It shows how far a statement or action reaches, often setting a boundary for the scope or impact of what is being described.
Etymology
The phrase "to the extent that" comes from the noun 'extent,' which originates from the Latin 'extentus,' meaning 'stretched out.' It evolved in English to express the idea of how far something stretches in terms of degree or scope. Did you know? The word 'extent' was first used in English around the 14th century, and the full phrase developed later to clarify limits or conditions.
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"To the extent that" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 130 commonly used expressions.
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