Insofar as (also in so far as/in as far as) means to the degree that. However, it is not as unequivocal as it sounds when it comes to using so I have a few example-questions to make sure I use it correctly?
Could you check my sentences if "insofar as" is used correctly in the following sentences and if it is not, could you rewrite the sentence while keeping the original sense. If my are sentences are completely wrong or not re-writable, you can state that.
1.It was Black Friday. There was huge discounts on candies that insofar people tried to buy them/ people bought them.
(What I mean : There was huge discounts that people tried buy as much candy as possible)
2.We went to the museum of chocolate last weekend but chocolate brands were so expensive only people could buy some insofar as their
income.
(What I mean : Chocolate brands so expensive , the more people are rich the more could buy them.)
3.I feel happy insofar as I can help people in need.
(The more I help people in need, the more I feel happy.)
Apparently, there is a difference between "I feel happy as long as I can help people in need" because there is no degree in that sentence. My happiness is kept in some level when I can help but if I cannot I will be sad.
4.The noise coming from outside was pretty distracting but insofar as I kept on focusing the lecture.
(What I mean : I tried to keep on focusing the lecture as much as I can even though there was a noise coming from outside.)
Best Answer
In my opinion this is the only meaning that justifies its use: "to the extent that".
For all other purposes there is "in that", "as far as", sometimes simply "if" and "when".
Some examples:
(The Atlantic)
(The Age)