as far as / so far
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as far as
As a conjunction, introduces a subordinate clause and means 'to the extent that' or 'provided that'. It limits the validity of the statement in the main clause to what is known.
Soweit ich weiß, ist das Büro morgen geschlossen.
As far as I know, the office is closed tomorrow.
'Soweit' is made up of 'so' (so) and 'weit' (far). The literal meaning 'so far' is the basis for all uses: it describes either a spatial or a figurative range.
Soweit das Auge reicht, sieht man nur grüne Wiesen.
As far as the eye can see, there are only green meadows.
'Soweit' can be a conjunction or an adverb, which affects word order. As a conjunction, it introduces a subordinate clause (verb at the end). As an adverb, it stands within the sentence and does not change the word order.
Soweit ich informiert bin, findet das Treffen statt.
As far as I am informed, the meeting is taking place.
As a conjunction, 'soweit' is often used in fixed expressions that limit a statement based on one's own knowledge. Typical examples are 'soweit ich weiß' (as far as I know), 'soweit ich mich erinnere' (as far as I remember), and 'soweit bekannt ist' (as far as is known).
Soweit ich mich erinnere, war die Tür abgeschlossen.
As far as I remember, the door was locked.
The expression 'es ist soweit' is a fixed idiom. It means that the expected or planned moment has arrived and something can begin.
Zieh deine Jacke an, es ist soweit, wir gehen!
Put on your jacket; it's time, we're leaving!
The idiom 'soweit, so gut' (so far, so good) is used to comment on a positive course of events up to now. It expresses that everything has gone according to plan up to the present moment.
Die erste Hälfte des Projekts ist fertig. Soweit, so gut.
The first half of the project is finished. So far, so good.
if / when
'wenn' and 'soweit' can both express a restriction or condition. 'wenn' is very general and fits in many everyday sentences: something happens under a certain condition. 'soweit' sounds more precise and often a little more formal. It means more like 'provided that' or 'to the extent that' and limits a statement to what one knows or to what applies. They can be confused because both can sometimes seem like 'falls' (if). In practice: for normal conditions, 'wenn' is more natural. 'soweit' fits better when you are carefully saying that something applies only according to your own knowledge or only within a certain framework.
Soweit wir wissen, ist das Formular schon bei der Behörde angekommen.
As far as we know, the form has already arrived at the authority.
Wenn Aylin heute eine Antwort bekommt, schickt sie die Unterlagen sofort ab.
If Aylin gets an answer today, she will send off the documents immediately.