As Long As vs. So Long As

What Is Their Main Difference?

The main difference between 'as long as' and 'so long as' is that 'so long as' is that 'so long as' is more informal that 'as long as.'

Meaning

'As long as' and 'so long as' express the meaning 'if.' They introduce conditions, possible results, and requirements.

Example

You can borrow the car as long as you drive safely.

You can borrow the car so long as you drive safely.

Parts of Speech

'As long as' and 'so long as' are conjunctions. They are used to connect clauses.

Example

You are allowed to go as long as you come back before midnight.

You are allowed to go so long as you come back before midnight.

Formality

'As long as' is usually more formal than 'so long as.' People often use 'so long as' when they're talking casually. At first, 'so long as' was not considered correct in grammar, but now it is accepted because it is used so much.

Comments

(5)

Tareq Ali

Mar 2025

The site is as useful as we expect it to meet our requirements.

Allen H

Apr 2024

As the previous commenter implied, the last sentence in the 'Formality' section could be significantly improved. It includes mixed past and present tenses, missing commas in independent clauses, and "English grammar" does not require a definite article. Also, I believe you are attempting to draw the contradiction between "used informally" and "accepted in the(sic) English grammar;" however, you manage to negate your contradiction by adding the modifier that it was "not considered...incorrect." Finally, If the point of this sentence is to say that 'so long as' is now formally acceptable in English grammar, you should not start with the adverbial phrase "in fact," as this point contradicts the prior sentence. A better phrasing might be, "Although 'so long as' was initially only used informally, it has never been considered grammatically incorrect. After being commonly used, it has also become acceptable in formal English grammar."

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Langeek

Apr 2024

Thanks for the feedback! We improved the content.

Feb 2024

If you replace the double negative “was not … incorrect” with the abbreviated but equivalent “ was considered grammatically correct but … [now], it has been accepted in the English grammar.” and further replace it with abbreviated and equivalent “ was considered … correct but now, it … [is considered … correct].” then you will notice that the ending “but now, it … [is considered … correct].” is a repetition. Hence the original statement could have been shortened to “In fact, 'so long as' has been used informally at first and was not considered grammatically incorrect.”

Zay Yar Aung

Jan 2024

I'm quite satisfied with it.

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What Is Their Main Difference?
Meaning
Parts of Speech
Formality

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