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insofar

UK/ɪn.səʊˈfɑː(ɹ)/US/ɪn.soʊˈfɑɹ/
adverbC1Rare in speech; mostly a word you read · #12,327 of 15,258leans writtenformal · an editor’s judgement

Insofar means to the extent that. It limits a claim to exactly the part being agreed.

It always appears as insofar as, which is a three-word construction doing one job. The word is formal and legal, and contracts and judgments use it constantly, since insofar as the rule applies is agreeing only within a stated boundary. British English sometimes writes it as three words, in so far as, and both are accepted. To the extent that is the plainer alternative.

Definitions of insofar

  1. 1adverbinsofarTo the extent or degree that.C1

    “The clause applies insofar as the goods were faulty.”

Where it comes from

in + so + far.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practised in A Man Called Ove

First appears in chapter 20 of A Man Called Ove.

Practise this word

insofar in the wild

  • Zerde differs from rice pudding insofar as it is prepared with water instead of milk.

    Zerde

  • At a minimum, museum labels identify the creator, title, date, location, and materials of the work, insofar as these can be known.

    Museum label

  • Additionally, the helmet is not a combat helmet, insofar as it was not originally designed to protect the head during combat.

    American fiber helmet

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.