To the extent that

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To the extent that
(conj.)
A sort of limited if. Where if is binary, and opens or closes floodgates to all claims, deserving or not, “to the extent that” admits of degrees, and lets in only deserving cases that one coud not really complain about.

“If there is cricket on the telly on Monday, I will do no work” indicates that, should a single ball be bowled, not a stitch will get done in the office however soon the covers come on, the brollies come out, and for however long the Test Match Special team extemporise about cakes.

“To the extent there is cricket on the telly today, I will do no work”, will have your employer hoping for rain.

See also

• The rather redundant “If and to the extent that”