Misuage of 'Insofar As'

[germux]

Many dictionaries say that "insofar as" means "to the extent that". But in some writing, "insofar as", when placed at the beginning of a clause, seems to be used as "given the extent to which that". Could that be a misusage?

 

[5jj]

Welcome to the forum, germux. :hi:

"given the extent to which that" is not natural English, so writers cannot really be meaning that. Can you give us an example of a sentence in which you think 'insofar as" is being misused?

 

[germux]

Enhancing my question slightly:

First usage: [X] insofar as [Y]
Second usage: Insofar [A],

In the first usage, [X] happens to the extent defined by [Y]. Ideally for the second usage, it is that should happen to the extent defined by [A]. But sometimes in the second usage, it is [A] that happens to some undefined extent, and happens but is something unrelated to [A].


The following fits the second 'wrong' usage:

Insofar as all of the above are potentially real sources of unrest, Xi’s speech emphasized the problem-solving function of the party.

SOURCE: nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/11/22/dawn-of-a-new-china/dont-expect-big-changes-in-china

 

[probus]

Personally I don't see anything wrong with it. Both "to the extent that" and its synonym "insofar as" are a frequent part of my everyday usage, although I do prefer "to the extent that."