Dic/ explanation/ to the extent that

자료 1: https://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatDoesExtentMean/wmhcm/post.htm

※ 발췌: From an explanation provided by a contributor:

In quite a few of them, the phrase─to the extent that─could be replaced by "if" without any change in meaning. ( ... )

The basic meaning is probably, "to the same degree that X is true, Y is also true." This works out to mean all of this:

• If X is true, Y is true.
• If X isn't true at all, neither is Y.
• If X is a little bit true, then so is Y.
• If X is mostly true, then Y is mostly true.

The truth of each "extends" to the same amount. Suppose someone says "To the extend that you like fruit, you'll like pomelos." This means:

• If you like fruit, you'll like pomelos.
• If you don't like fruit, you won't like pomelos.
• If you like fruit a little, you'll like pomelos a little.
• and so on.

Your liking of pomelos is directly tied to your liking of fruit.

But not all the examples are that simple, and those are the more interesting ones. They don't look easy to define. I think they are from legal and scholarly writing. The meaning still looks to me something like "if there is any truth to the statement XXX, then ..."

Here's an example:

To the extent that ordinary Americans have any understanding of the significant constitutional differences betweent the U.S. and Canada, they are probably aware of the differing approaches to hate speech.

To reword this without "to the extent that":

If ordinary Americans have any understanding of the significant constitutional differences between the U.S. and Canada, then probably what they are aware of are the differing approaches to hate speech.

Implied in there is that most Americans probably don't know a thing about these legal differences, and that the few who do, probably know about hate speech. I think sometimes "to the extent that" carries a value judgment that implies the extent is low and limited.

There are probably other subtleties.
... ...


자료 2: Use of ‘when’, ‘if’ and ‘to the extent that’

※ 발췌:

When is ambiguous. When is somewhat ambiguous, since it brings two clauses into a somewhat explanatory conjunction with each other, contains elements of conditionality and implies a reference to timing but does none of these things in a very precise manner. The conditionality is somewhat blurred because when may be interpreted as if ..., as as long as ..., and as during periods that .... The latter two interpretations do not necessarily contain crystal clear cut-off points as to whether or not a condition is met.

If is a condition. If refers to a clear-cut context of 'yes' or 'no', 'true' or 'false'. For example, "if the 100,000 boxes are delivered, the addressee shall pay €1 million". On its own, the sentence means that the delivery is the relevant point in time triggering the payment obligation and indicates that when only 99,999 boxes are delivered, payment has not yet become due.

Best practice. Do not use if and to the extent that: the phrase to the extent that inevitably implies that the condition to which the extent refers must be fulfilled in order to the following consequences to apply. In all cases, drop if and.


자료 3: ... ...

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definitions and examples in dictionaries

2. the point or limit to which something extends or reaches

• We reached the southernmost extent [= end] of the peninsula.
• He swore to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. [= as fully as the law allows]
• To what extent [= how far; how much] can they be trusted?

3. used to indicate the degree to which something exists, happens, or is true

  ▷ If you say that something is true to an extent, to some extent, or to a certain extent, you mean that it is partly true but not completely true.

• To an extent, they're both right.
• Some critics claim that the government is at fault, and, to a certain extent, that's true.

  ▷ Something that is true to a large extent or to a great extent is mostly true.

• These traits are to a large extent inherited. [= these traits are mostly inherited]

  ▷ The phrases to the extent that^, to that extent, and to a greater/lesser extent are often used to describe the effect or importance of something in relation to something else.

• To the extent that he encouraged their bad behavior, he's to blame for it. [= he's partly blame for their bad behavior because he encouraged it]
• He encouraged their bad behavior, and to that extent he's to blame for it.
• He studied only to the extent that was required to pass the exam. [= he studied just enough to pass the exam]
• This new tax affects the middle class and, to a lesser extent, the rich.
• This new tax affects everyone to a greater or lesser extent.[= it affects some people more that it does other people]

▷ To the extent that or to such an extent that can also be used to say that something is true to a very extreme degree.

• He was fearful to the extent that he refused to leave his house. [= he was so fearful that he refused to leave his house]
• She has changed to such an extent that you wouldn't recognize her.

.... http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/extent