“in so far as”是一个正式的连词短语,核心含义是“就……而言;在……范围内;至于”,用于限定陈述的范围、程度或条件,说明后面的内容仅在前面的“范围/条件”内成立。
“in so far as” = “to the extent that” / “as far as”(后者更口语化,前者更正式)
强调“在某个特定的范围/条件下”,连接的前后内容是“范围限定”关系——后面的结论/动作仅在前面的范围里有效。
“in so far as”通常引导状语从句(条件状语或程度状语),后面接完整的句子(从句),不能直接接名词。以下是常见场景:
说明某个判断/评价仅在“某方面”成立,常翻译为“就……而言”。
He is a reliable partner in so far as he keeps his promises.
(就他信守诺言而言,他是个可靠的伙伴。)
The book is useful in so far as it explains basic grammar clearly.
(就它清晰解释基础语法而言,这本书很有用。)
说明某个动作仅在“某条件满足时”或“某范围内”发生,常翻译为“在……范围内;只要”。
We will support your project in so far as the budget allows.
(只要预算允许,我们会支持你的项目。)
She agreed to help in so far as she had time.
(她同意在有时间的范围内帮忙。)
in so far as possible:尽可能地(= as far as possible)
Please complete the task in so far as possible by Friday.
(请尽可能在周五前完成任务。)
in so far as I know:据我所知(= as far as I know)
In so far as I know, the meeting has been postponed.(据我所知,会议已经推迟了。)
in so far as vs. so far as:
两者含义几乎相同,但“in so far as”更正式(多用于书面语、法律文本或正式演讲),“so far as”更口语化。
例:So far as I can see, there’s no risk.(口语)= In so far as I can see, there’s no risk.(正式)
in so far as vs. as far as:
“as far as”还有“远到……”的空间含义(如:I walked as far as the park. 我走到公园那么远),而“in so far as”仅用于抽象的范围/条件。
“in so far as”的核心是“限定范围”,用在需要明确“某内容仅在特定条件下成立”的场景,尤其适合正式语境。记住它的本质:“在X的范围内,Y成立”,就不会用错啦!