sikäli kuin / siltä osin kuin
Scoped Conditions
These formal conjunctions define the boundaries of a statement. Sikäli kuin is a general scoping tool ('as far as'), while siltä osin kuin specifically limits a statement to certain parts or aspects ('insofar as').
How It Works
Both sikäli kuin and siltä osin kuin function as compound conjunctions that introduce a subordinate clause.
1. Sikäli kuin and Sikäli kun
These indicate that the main clause is valid only to the extent described. While sikäli kuin is the traditional form, sikäli kun has been accepted in general language since 2012. Kuin emphasizes comparison, while kun leans toward condition or time.
2. Siltä osin kuin
This literally refers to 'parts' (from the noun osa). It is used when one thing applies to specific sections or aspects of another thing, such as a law applying only to certain parts of a contract.
3. Register and Usage
These are formal expressions. In casual speech, Finns use jos (if). The word mikäli is also formal. Avoid the colloquial tautology sikäli mikäli in formal writing.
4. Punctuation Rules
- Full Clauses: A comma is mandatory before the phrase if it follows the main clause (e.g., ...asia, sikäli kuin tiedän).
- Sentence Initial: If the clause starts the sentence, place a comma after the entire subordinate clause (e.g., Sikäli kuin tiedän, asia...).
- Elliptical Phrases: Do not use a comma if the phrase is elliptical (verbless), such as sikäli kuin mahdollista.
- Never place a comma between the words (e.g., never sikäli, kuin).
Examples (4)
- Sikäli kuin tiedän, hanke etenee aikataulussa.
As far as I know, the project is progressing on schedule.
Word by Word: Insofar as I know, project progresses in-schedule.
When the clause starts the sentence, a comma must follow the entire clause before the main clause begins.
- Sopimus on voimassa siltä osin kuin se ei ole ristiriidassa uuden lain kanssa.
The agreement is valid insofar as it does not conflict with the new law.
Word by Word: Agreement is valid from-that part as it not is in-conflict new law with.
'Siltä osin kuin' is used here because the validity is limited to specific parts or aspects of the agreement.
- Tiedot on korjattava sikäli kuin mahdollista.
The information must be corrected as far as possible.
Word by Word: Information is to-be-corrected insofar as possible.
In this elliptical phrase (no verb after 'kuin'), no comma is used before the expression.
- Sikäli kun muistan, hän ei ollut paikalla.
As far as I remember, he wasn't there.
Word by Word: Insofar as I remember, he not was on-place.
The variant 'sikäli kun' is also accepted in modern standard Finnish; 'kun' can emphasize the temporal or conditional aspect of the scope.
Common Mistakes
Using a comma in elliptical (verbless) phrases.
Tiedot on korjattava, sikäli kuin mahdollista.Tiedot on korjattava sikäli kuin mahdollista.While a comma is used before a full subordinate clause, it is omitted in elliptical phrases like 'sikäli kuin mahdollista' where there is no finite verb.
Confusing 'sikäli kuin' with a simple 'if' (jos).
Sikäli kuin sataa, otan sateenvarjon.Jos sataa, otan sateenvarjon.'Sikäli kuin' implies a degree or scope (to the extent that), whereas jos is used for a simple condition (if it happens).
Using the redundant 'sikäli mikäli' in formal writing.
Sikäli mikäli mahdollista, saavun paikalle.Sikäli kuin mahdollista, saavun paikalle.'Sikäli mikäli' is a common colloquial tautology. In formal writing, use only 'sikäli kuin' or mikäli.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'sikäli kuin' and 'siltä osin kuin', you need to be familiar with formal Finnish conjunctions and how demonstrative pronouns like 'se' are inflected in cases like the adessive to create limiting expressions. Knowledge of 'kuin' as a linking particle is also fundamental.
- kuinComparing with Kuin
The word 'kuin' is a core component of these scoped condition markers, and understanding its role in comparisons and linking clauses is essential.
Level 2 - mikäli / jollei / elleiFormal Conditionals
These are related formal conditional and limiting conjunctions used in similar administrative and legal registers.
Level 5 - -lla/-lläAdessive (-lla/-llä)
The phrase 'siltä osin kuin' is built using the adessive case of the demonstrative pronoun 'se' (siltä), which indicates the scope or respect in which something is true.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- josIf (Jos)
Jos is the standard everyday choice for conditions, whereas sikäli kuin is reserved for formal scoping.
Level 2 - nähden / suhteenFormal Postpositions
These formal postpositions also deal with limiting scope or defining a relationship between two things.
Level 4 - Legal Style
These conjunctions are core components of the precise, scoped language used in Finnish legal and administrative texts.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice sikäli kuin / siltä osin kuin in Bubblegum
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