extent
extent — noun
1. the total area, length, or amount that something covers or takes up, often measu
the total area, length, or amount that something covers or takes up, often measured from one edge or limit to another.
The full extent of the forest became visible after the fog lifted.
the full extent of [noun]
Surveyors mapped the extent of the flood damage along the river.
extent of [damage/area]
The Watanabe family farm extended over nearly two hundred acres.
No one measured the cave system's true extent before Minh's team explored it.
- limit
the furthest boundary or edge of something
文法句型
the extent of [something]
用法筆記
Often used with 'full' or 'true' to emphasise the complete size or boundary of something. Compare with 'scope' (range of activity) and 'scale' (relative size).
常見錯誤
2. how much something is true, happens, or affects a situation — the level or stren
how much something is true, happens, or affects a situation — the level or strength of an action, feeling, or condition.
Sahil was surprised by the extent of public support for the new policy.
extent of [support/damage/interest]
The extent to which stress affects sleep varies from person to person.
the extent to which + clause
Tunde could not fully grasp the extent of his grandmother's illness until he visited her.
Scientists are still trying to understand the extent of climate change on ocean life.
文法句型
the extent to which
to a ... extent
用法筆記
The most flexible sense. Can be followed by 'of + noun' or 'to which + clause'. Often interchangeable with 'degree' in abstract contexts, though 'extent' suggests a broader range.
常見錯誤
3. used to say that someone has a feeling or does something so strongly that a part
used to say that someone has a feeling or does something so strongly that a particular result follows.
Cyrus admired his grandfather to the extent that he chose the same career path.
to the extent that + result clause
The novel affected Aoi to the extent that she could not stop thinking about it for days.
Some fans loved the singer to the extent that they waited outside the hotel all night.
Emily believed in the charity's work to the extent that she donated half of her yearly income.
- so much that
less formal; more common in everyday speech
文法句型
to the extent that + clause
用法筆記
Emphasises emotional or psychological intensity leading to a consequence. More formal than 'so much that'. Distinguish from sense 4, where the focus is on causation rather than emotional intensity.
常見錯誤
4. used to describe a situation in which something develops or changes up to a spec
used to describe a situation in which something develops or changes up to a specific stage, and that change then brings about a particular outcome.
The company's losses grew to the extent that it had to close three factories.
to the extent that + causal result
Jessica's story changed to the extent that no one recognised the original version.
The river rose to the extent that several houses along the bank had to be evacuated.
Allison's ankle swelled to the extent that she could not put any weight on it.
- so much that
less formal; more common in everyday speech
- to the point that
equivalent but slightly less formal
文法句型
to the extent that + clause
用法筆記
Focuses on a degree of change or development that triggers a concrete result. Sense 3 is about strong feeling; sense 4 is about factual cause and effect.
5. used in comparisons to say that two things are equal in degree, amount, or how s
used in comparisons to say that two things are equal in degree, amount, or how strongly they affect a situation.
Minh's parents did not worry about her brother to the same extent as her.
Talia enjoyed the film, though not to the same extent as her friends did.
not to the same extent as
Lan found the exam difficult, but not to the same extent as her classmates claimed.
The new software helps with data entry, though not to the same extent as the older system did.
- as much as
less formal; more common in spoken English
- equally
adverb; used in different sentence positions
- to a lesser extent
used when one thing is less true than another
- to a greater extent
used when one thing is more true than another
文法句型
to the same extent as
not to the same extent
用法筆記
Often occurs in negative or contrastive structures ('not to the same extent'). Can appear as 'to the same extent that' + clause. More formal than 'as much as'.
常見錯誤
6. used to show that something is partly true but not completely; a way of limiting
used to show that something is partly true but not completely; a way of limiting or lowering the strength of a statement.
Iker agreed with the proposal, at least to some extent.
to some extent — limiting agreement
To a certain extent, the success of the project depends on how well the team communicates.
Henry felt that the criticism was fair to a large extent.
Sirin could only help to a limited extent because her own work was also due that week.
- partly
more direct; less formal
- somewhat
adverb; can appear in different positions in a sentence
- up to a point
informal; emphasises a limit
- completely
no limits; wholly true
- entirely
fully; with nothing left out
文法句型
to some extent
to a certain extent
to a large extent
to a limited extent
用法筆記
Common in academic and professional writing to qualify claims. 'To a large extent' means 'mostly', 'to a limited extent' means 'not very much'. 'To some extent' and 'to a certain extent' are largely interchangeable.
常見錯誤
7. used to emphasise that something happens to a very great degree, often with a no
used to emphasise that something happens to a very great degree, often with a noticeable result.
The noise from the site increased to such an extent that nearby residents could not sleep.
to such an extent that + result
Antonia's reputation grew to such an extent that she was invited to speak at conferences worldwide.
The storm damaged the crops to such an extent that the village faced a food shortage.
Léa's fear of flying increased to such an extent that she decided to see a therapist.
- so much that
less formal; more versatile
- to such a degree that
equivalent, equally formal
文法句型
to such an extent that
用法筆記
Stronger and more emphatic than 'to the extent that' (sense 4). Often used in formal writing or speech to highlight dramatic results. Compare with 'so...that' constructions.
常見錯誤
8. used in questions to ask about how much something is true, how far it reaches, o
used in questions to ask about how much something is true, how far it reaches, or how strongly it applies.
To what extent does social media influence young people's buying choices?
To what extent + question — asking about degree
Ada wondered to what extent her childhood memories matched the reality of those years.
Tyler asked himself to what extent luck had played a part in his success.
Researchers want to know to what extent the new drug reduces symptoms in older patients.
- how much
less formal; more common in everyday conversation
- how far
focuses on limits or boundaries
- in what way
focuses on manner rather than degree
文法句型
to what extent + clause
用法筆記
Common in academic writing, surveys, and formal discussion. More precise than 'how much'. Used both as a direct question (sense 8) and as an indirect question embedded in a statement (see example 2).