in so far as 的用法

Question

in so far as 为什么老师讲的时候是“至于...，就...而言”，它的英文解释却是to the extent that，到...的程度，没有"就...而言"的解释啊。而在NCE4中
In so far as any inquiry is a secret one, it naturally limits all those engaged in carrying it out from effective contact with their fellow scientist either in other countries or...
老师的解释是相当于since，同样词典上也没有这个解释，不会有些牵强吗？
请解释一下in so far as的意义，谢谢

Answer 1

in so far as = insofar as = to that degree = to that extent
表示到了某种程度

Answer 2

to the
extent that
达到……的程度以致；就……来说；在这个意义上；在这样的范围内；在……方面来说本回答被网友采纳

Answer 3

as