N2 Limits, Extent, and Range

~限かぎり: meaning, usage and examples

~限かぎり means: as far as... / as much as... (to the limit).

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How to form it

＜Verb dictionary / potential＞ + 限かぎり / ＜Noun＞ + の + 限かぎり

Examples

  1. 目めの届とどく限かぎり、海うみが広ひろがっている。

    The ocean spreads as far as the eye can see.

  2. できる限かぎりのことはします。

    I'll do everything I can.

  3. 選手せんしゅたちは最後さいごまで力ちからの限かぎり戦たたかった。

    The players fought with all their strength to the very end.

  4. 時間じかんの許ゆるす限かぎり、皆みなさんの質問しつもんにお答こたえします。

    I'll answer your questions as long as time allows.

When to use it

Means "to the limit of" or "as much as possible." It pushes an action to its full extent. できる限かぎり協力きょうりょくします means "I will help as much as I can." With nouns: 力ちからの限かぎり走はしった (ran with all my strength). It also marks a full range: 見渡みわたす限かぎり (as far as one can see), 時間じかんの許ゆるす限かぎり (as long as time allows).

Nuance

Neutral; できる限かぎり is a polite, slightly formal version of できるだけ. 力ちからの限かぎり and 声こえの限かぎり sound emotional and a bit literary. Often used for resolutions, promises and descriptions of wide scenery.

Compare

できる限かぎり and できるだけ mean the same, but 限かぎり sounds more formal: できる限かぎり早はやく対応たいおうします. 限かぎり(は) states a lasting condition: 生いきている限かぎり. 限かぎりでは limits information: 私わたしの知しる限かぎりでは. Here 限かぎり alone means maximum effort or full extent.

Tip: Collect the set phrases: できる限かぎり, 力ちからの限かぎり, 声こえの限かぎり, 見渡みわたす限かぎり, 時間じかんの許ゆるす限かぎり. They cover most test questions on this meaning.

Related points

Same form, different use

More in Limits, Extent, and Range

Frequently asked questions

What does ~限かぎり mean?

As far as... / as much as... (to the limit). Example: 目めの届とどく限かぎり、海うみが広ひろがっている。 (The ocean spreads as far as the eye can see.)

How do you form ~限かぎり?

＜Verb dictionary / potential＞ + 限かぎり / ＜Noun＞ + の + 限かぎり. Collect the set phrases: できる限かぎり, 力ちからの限かぎり, 声こえの限かぎり, 見渡みわたす限かぎり, 時間じかんの許ゆるす限かぎり. They cover most test questions on this meaning.