Early last month I discussed the proper use of inasmuch as. Today I’m tackling a related topic — the proper use of insofar as.
Inasmuch as means because, and so more effective writers will seek to replace a more lengthy phrase (inasmuch as) with a single word that means the same thing (because). Conversely, many writers use insofar as in place of since, thinking they are also equivalent. But such is not the case.
Insofar as means to the extent that; thus, more effective writers will use insofar as when they wish to convey that exact meaning. If they want to convey the meaning of since, they will use since since (pun intended) this choice uses fewer words to convey the desired meaning. More effective writers never use insofar as in place of since. They use insofar as only as an alternative to to the extent that.
Because the usage is so precise, writers can easily test which word(s) will serve best. If exchanging to the extent that makes sense, then insofar as is appropriate. Otherwise, replace insofar as with since.
Consider the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. Replacing insofar as with to the extent that yields
Inasmuch as means because, and so more effective writers will seek to replace a more lengthy phrase (inasmuch as) with a single word that means the same thing (because). Conversely, many writers use insofar as in place of since, thinking they are also equivalent. But such is not the case.
Insofar as means to the extent that; thus, more effective writers will use insofar as when they wish to convey that exact meaning. If they want to convey the meaning of since, they will use since since (pun intended) this choice uses fewer words to convey the desired meaning. More effective writers never use insofar as in place of since. They use insofar as only as an alternative to to the extent that.
Because the usage is so precise, writers can easily test which word(s) will serve best. If exchanging to the extent that makes sense, then insofar as is appropriate. Otherwise, replace insofar as with since.
Consider the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. Replacing insofar as with to the extent that yields
To the extent that the report details the specific mechanisms by which the gearbox failed, we may assign the ultimate root cause to faulty manufacture.
The sentence makes perfect sense, and so the use of insofar as is appropriate. Now let’s examine an instance in which insofar as is not appropriate. Consider this example sentence.
Insofar as everyone has arrived, we will review the instructions.
Replacing insofar as with to the extent that produces
To the extent that everyone has arrived, we will review the instructions.
This sentence makes some sense but not very much. Using since makes more sense. (Hey, another pun!)
Since everyone has arrived, we will review the instructions.
More effective writers recognize the sometimes subtle differences in language. They understand that more precise language makes for more effective writing. Make your writing more effective by recognizing and respecting those differences. Then you will better communicates the image of yourself and your brands that you want to convey to your audience.
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